I require a class which will generate barcode image files, preferably compatible with the most common standards.
I'm looking for recommendations / suggestions based on personal experiences with such things.
Many Thanks
Answer
Here is a simple PHP script for generating barocdes:
<?php
//For displaying barcodes
//Arguments are:
// code Number you want outputted as a barcode
//You can use this script in two ways:
// From a webpage/PHP script <img src='/images/barcode.php?code=12345'/>
// Directly in your web browser http://www.example.com/images/barcode.php?code=12345
//Outputs the code as a barcode, surrounded by an asterisk (as per standard)
//Will only output numbers, text will appear as gaps
//Image width is dynamic, depending on how much data there is
//Get the barcode font (called 'free3of9') from here http://www.barcodesinc.com/free-barcode-font/
header("Content-type: image/png");
$file = "images/barcode.png"; // path to base png image
$im = imagecreatefrompng($file); // open the blank image
$string = $_GET['code']; // get the code from URL
imagealphablending($im, true); // set alpha blending on
imagesavealpha($im, true); // save alphablending setting (important)
$black = imagecolorallocate($im, 0, 0, 0); // colour of barcode
$font_height=40; // barcode font size. anything smaller and it will appear jumbled and will not be able to be read by scanners
$newwidth=((strlen($string)*20)+41); // allocate width of barcode. each character is 20px across, plus add in the asterisk's
$thumb = imagecreatetruecolor($newwidth, 40); // generate a new image with correct dimensions
imagecopyresized($thumb, $im, 0, 0, 0, 0, $newwidth, 40, 10, 10); // copy image to thumb
imagettftext($thumb, $font_height, 0, 1, 40, $black, 'c:\windows\fonts\free3of9.ttf', '*'.$string.'*'); // add text to image
//show the image
imagepng($thumb);
imagedestroy($thumb);
?>
Hope this helps you.