PHP Laravel 1D/2D Barcode Reader

This sample demonstrates how to decode barcodes and QR codes on the server side using the PHP Laravel framework.

php-barcode-reader.mp4

Architecture

Instead of compiling a PHP extension (which is tied to a specific PHP version), this project uses a standalone Dynamsoft Barcode Reader Service written in Python. PHP communicates with the service via HTTP and receives JSON results. This approach works across PHP versions without recompiling anything.

PHP 8.x / 7.x  <--HTTP/JSON-->  Barcode Service (Python + Dynamsoft DBR)  <--SDK-->  Dynamsoft DBR/DCV

Prerequisites

• Python 3.x
• PHP 7.4+
• Composer
• Laravel

Check the version numbers in the terminal:

python --version
php -v
PHP 7.4.30 (cli) (built: Jun  7 2022 16:24:55) ( ZTS Visual C++ 2017 x64 )
Copyright (c) The PHP Group
Zend Engine v3.4.0, Copyright (c) Zend Technologies

php artisan --version
Laravel Framework 8.83.23

PHP Upload Limits

The demo accepts images up to 20 MB by default. Make sure your PHP installation allows uploads of that size. For the PHP binary at D:\php, edit D:\php\php.ini:

upload_max_filesize = 20M
post_max_size = 20M
memory_limit = 256M
max_execution_time = 60

After saving the file, restart the Laravel development server.

Installation

1. Install PHP dependencies:

   composer install

2. Install Python service dependencies:

   cd service
   pip install -r requirements.txt

Usage

1. Apply for a 30-day FREE trial license, and substitute the license key in service/app.py.

   LICENSE_KEY = "LICENSE-KEY"

2. Start the barcode service:

   cd service
   python app.py

   The service runs on http://127.0.0.1:8080 by default. You can change the port with the BARCODE_SERVICE_PORT environment variable or bind to all interfaces with --host-all.

3. Run the web application:

   php artisan serve

4. Visit http://127.0.0.1:8000/barcode_qr_reader in a web browser.

   The web UI supports:

   • Drag and drop images onto the drop zone
   • Clicking the drop zone to select a file
   • AJAX upload (the page does not reload)
   • Auto-fitted image preview
   • Canvas overlay showing decoded barcode locations
   • A results panel listing barcode format, text, raw bytes, and localization

Testing with PHP CLI

A command-line test script is provided at test_service.php. Make sure the Python service is running, then:

php test_service.php <path/to/image>

Blog

How to Decode Barcodes and QR Codes in PHP Laravel with Dynamsoft Barcode SDK