Basic Data Matrix 2D Barcode — ggplot2

A Data Matrix 2D barcode visualization that encodes data into a compact square or rectangular matrix of black and white cells. Data Matrix codes follow the ISO/IEC 16022 standard, featuring an L-shaped finder pattern (solid borders on two adjacent sides) and alternating timing patterns on the opposite sides. This barcode format is ideal for marking small items and supports high data density with built-in error correction (ECC 200).

Basic Data Matrix 2D Barcode rendered with ggplot2

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R source (ggplot2)

#' anyplot.ai
#' datamatrix-basic: Basic Data Matrix 2D Barcode
#' Library: ggplot2 3.5.1 | R 4.4.1
#' Quality: 90/100 | Created: 2026-05-20

library(ggplot2)
library(dplyr)
library(ragg)

set.seed(42)

# Theme tokens
THEME    <- Sys.getenv("ANYPLOT_THEME", "light")
PAGE_BG  <- if (THEME == "light") "#FAF8F1" else "#1A1A17"
INK      <- if (THEME == "light") "#1A1A17" else "#F0EFE8"
INK_SOFT <- if (THEME == "light") "#4A4A44" else "#B8B7B0"

# Barcode module colors (data colors — constant across themes)
CELL_DARK  <- "#1A1A17"
CELL_LIGHT <- "#FAF8F1"

# Data Matrix parameters
N  <- 16L   # 16x16 symbol (ECC 200)
QZ <- 2L    # quiet zone width in cells

# Build barcode matrix (row 1 = top, col 1 = left)
mat <- matrix(0L, nrow = N, ncol = N)

# Interior: pseudo-encoded data cells
mat[2:(N - 1), 2:(N - 1)] <- matrix(
  sample(0:1, (N - 2L)^2, replace = TRUE),
  nrow = N - 2L
)

# Finder pattern (L-shape): left column and bottom row — all dark
mat[, 1L] <- 1L
mat[N, ]  <- 1L

# Timing patterns: top row (col 1 = dark) and right column (row N = dark)
mat[1L, ] <- as.integer(seq_len(N) %% 2L == 1L)
mat[, N]  <- as.integer(seq_len(N) %% 2L == N %% 2L)

# Embed barcode in quiet zone
N_total    <- N + 2L * QZ
padded_mat <- matrix(0L, nrow = N_total, ncol = N_total)
padded_mat[(QZ + 1L):(QZ + N), (QZ + 1L):(QZ + N)] <- mat

# Tidy data frame (flip y so matrix row 1 appears at the top of the plot)
df <- expand.grid(col = seq_len(N_total), row = seq_len(N_total)) %>%
  mutate(
    value = padded_mat[cbind(row, col)],
    x     = col,
    y     = N_total + 1L - row
  )

# Plot
p <- ggplot(df, aes(x = x, y = y, fill = factor(value))) +
  geom_tile(color = NA) +
  scale_fill_manual(
    values = c("0" = CELL_LIGHT, "1" = CELL_DARK),
    guide  = "none"
  ) +
  coord_fixed(ratio = 1) +
  labs(
    title    = "datamatrix-basic · r · ggplot2 · anyplot.ai",
    subtitle = 'Content: "MED-DEVICE:SN-2024-08751"  |  16x16  |  ECC 200'
  ) +
  theme_void() +
  theme(
    plot.background = element_rect(fill = PAGE_BG, color = PAGE_BG),
    plot.title      = element_text(
      color  = INK,      size   = 12, face = "bold",
      hjust  = 0.5,      margin = margin(b = 4)
    ),
    plot.subtitle   = element_text(
      color  = INK_SOFT, size   = 9,
      hjust  = 0.5,      margin = margin(b = 16)
    ),
    plot.margin     = margin(24, 24, 24, 24)
  )

# Save (square canvas: 6 in x 6 in x 400 dpi = 2400x2400 px)
ggsave(
  filename = sprintf("plot-%s.png", THEME),
  plot     = p,
  device   = ragg::agg_png,
  width    = 6,
  height   = 6,
  units    = "in",
  dpi      = 400
)

Part of Basic Data Matrix 2D Barcode on anyplot.ai.

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