macOS
Homebrewverified · 100%
brew install zintlocal Homebrew formula metadata
MacPortsverified · 94%
sudo port install zintMacPorts ports tree · textproc/zint/Portfile · source: api.github.com
brew
Install zint with Homebrew, apk, apt, dnf, MacPorts, pacman, winget, zypper
Barcode encoding library supporting over 50 symbologies. Version 2.16.0 via Homebrew; verified from local package data.
install
Additional install commands
Linux
Alpine Linux apkverified · 92%
sudo apk add zintAlpine Linux edge package indexes · zint · source: dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org
Debian aptverified · 92%
sudo apt install libzint-devDebian stable package indexes · libzint-dev · source: deb.debian.org
Fedora dnfverified · 92%
sudo dnf install zintFedora Rawhide package metadata · zint · source: dl.fedoraproject.org
Arch Linux pacmanverified · 92%
sudo pacman -S zintArch Linux sync databases · zint · source: geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com
openSUSE zypperverified · 92%
sudo zypper install libQZint-developenSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata · libQZint-devel · source: download.opensuse.org
Windows
Windows Package Managerverified · 92%
winget install --id Zint.Zint -eWindows Package Manager source index · Zint.Zint · source: cdn.winget.microsoft.com
overview
Package summary
Barcode encoding library supporting over 50 symbologies
Project links
Commands and aliases
- zint
history
Project history and usage
Zint is an open-source barcode-generation suite that spans three audiences at once: desktop users, command-line automation, and application developers embedding a barcode library. That combination makes it more than a toy barcode renderer; it is a packageable barcode backend with GUI and scripting surfaces.
Project history
The official manual describes Zint as a cross-platform open-source barcode generating solution made up of a Qt GUI, a command-line executable, and a library API. Its own site frames the project around desktop, CLI, and developer use rather than a single application mode.
The project maintains public source, releases, documentation, and community channels through SourceForge and GitHub. Its source tree shows a C-centered implementation with backend, Qt, Tcl, frontend, and platform-specific documentation areas, reflecting a project that has grown around both embeddable barcode logic and user-facing tools.
Adoption history
Zint has been adopted most visibly as a practical utility and library for people who need standards-heavy barcodes without buying a proprietary generator. The project site identifies developers, businesses, technical users, and people generating QR Code, Code 128, EAN, UPC, Data Matrix, and related output as target users.
Its continued SourceForge download activity and GitHub repository presence show ongoing use in a specialized niche: label generation, document production, application barcode output, and scripted creation of raster or vector barcode assets.
How it is used
The command-line tool encodes data with options such as `--data`, `--input`, `--output`, and `--barcode`; by default, a simple invocation can create a Code 128 image from text. The manual documents raster and vector outputs including PNG, GIF, EPS, SVG, BMP, EMF, PCX, and TIF.
Developers use libzint when barcode generation belongs inside another program, while desktop users can use Zint Barcode Studio for visual generation and preview. The same package therefore covers batch scripts, GUI workflows, and embedded barcode rendering.
Why package nerds care
Zint is valuable in package catalogs because it collapses a standards-heavy domain into one installable toolchain: executable, GUI, and library. For maintainers and users, that means barcode generation can be automated in builds, labels, and documents without each project carrying its own encoder.
Its broad symbology list is the package-nerd hook. A small command can generate formats from everyday QR and EAN codes to postal, GS1, Data Matrix, PDF417, Aztec, Han Xin, and industrial codes, making it a useful leaf dependency in otherwise unrelated workflows.
Timeline
- 2008: The Zint site copyright range begins, indicating the project was public by this period.
- 2017: Source tree metadata shows project configuration such as `.editorconfig` already present in the public repository history.
- 2020s: Development continues across backend, Qt frontend, platform documentation, and barcode-standard support.
- 2026: The project site reports ongoing SourceForge download activity and public GitHub/SourceForge project resources.
Related projects
- OkapiBarcode, identified by the Zint site as a Java port and related barcode tooling.
- ZintNet, a C# port based on the Zint project.
- gLabels, a desktop label design tool with Zint support.
- Online barcode-generator services powered by Zint.
Sources
security posture
Risk level: green
library-like package without higher-risk signals.
Risk classifier
green risk · low confidence · appliance
Why
- library-like package without higher-risk signals
Signals
- metadata:library-like
Install behavior
- No Homebrew post-install hook is recorded in formula metadata.
- Homebrew bottle metadata is available for 6 platform targets.
- Installs with 1 runtime dependencies.
- Build metadata lists 1 build dependencies.
Recommended review
Before unattended agent use, check whether the tool reads plaintext credentials, writes remote state, publishes artifacts, or shells out to plugins.
executables
Installed executables
| Command | Kind | Exposure | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
zint | cli | global executable |
freshness
Version and freshness
These signals separate page generation age, package-manager activity, and upstream release comparison. Version lag is warned only when an evidence URL and comparable versions are present.
page generated2026-07-08
manager version2.16.0
manager updated
local dataok
upstreamnot checked
latest detectednot detected
- infoNo package-manager update timestamp was available.low confidence
- infoRelease/tag comparison is only available for GitHub repositories.https://www.zint.org.uk/none confidence
install metadata
Package metadata
| Package key | brew:zint |
|---|---|
| Version | 2.16.0 |
| Package manager | Homebrew |
| Package manager page | https://formulae.brew.sh/formula/zint |
| Homepage | https://www.zint.org.uk/ |
| Repository | https://github.com/zint/zint |
| Upstream docs | https://zint.org.uk/manual |
| License | GPL-3.0-or-later |
| Source archive | https://downloads.sourceforge.net/project/zint/zint/2.16.0/zint-2.16.0-src.tar.gz |
| Dependencies | libpng |
| Build dependencies | cmake |
| Bottle | available (on arm64_linux, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, arm64_tahoe, sonoma, x86_64_linux) |
| Homebrew post-install | not defined |
| Service | none declared |
registry facts
Source database details
| Source Database | Homebrew formula API |
|---|---|
| Tap | homebrew/core |
| Full Name | zint |
| Version Scheme | 0 |
| Revision | 0 |
| Head Version | HEAD |
| Bottle Stable Root URL | https://ghcr.io/v2/homebrew/core |
| Deprecated | no |
| Disabled | no |
| Keg Only | no |
| URL Keys |
|
source database matches
Other package-manager records
Matches are pulled from external package-manager indexes and kept separate from local Automic Vault package links.
Debian apt95%
libzint-dev 2.15.0-1+b1
Zint development files
sudo apt install libzint-dev- Section: libdevel
- Architecture: amd64
- Source Package: zint
- 1 dependencies
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Zint
Debian apt95%
libzint2.15 2.15.0-1+b1
library for encoding data in barcode symbols
sudo apt install libzint2.15- Section: libs
- Architecture: amd64
- Source Package: zint
- 2 dependencies
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Zint
Debian apt95%
zint 2.15.0-1+b1
command line utility to encode data in barcode symbols
sudo apt install zint- Section: graphics
- Architecture: amd64
- Source Package: zint
- 2 dependencies
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Zint
Debian apt95%
zint-qt 2.15.0-1+b1
Zint Barcode Studio, a QT frontend to zint
sudo apt install zint-qt- Section: graphics
- Architecture: amd64
- Source Package: zint
- 8 dependencies
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Zint
Ubuntu apt95%
libzint-dev 2.13.0-1build3
Zint development files
sudo apt install libzint-dev- Section: universe/libdevel
- Architecture: amd64
- Source Package: zint
- 1 dependencies
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Zint
Ubuntu apt95%
libzint2.13 2.13.0-1build3
library for encoding data in barcode symbols
sudo apt install libzint2.13- Section: universe/libs
- Architecture: amd64
- Source Package: zint
- 2 dependencies
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Zint
Ubuntu apt95%
zint 2.13.0-1build3
command line utility to encode data in barcode symbols
sudo apt install zint- Section: universe/graphics
- Architecture: amd64
- 2 dependencies
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Zint
Ubuntu apt95%
zint-qt 2.13.0-1build3
Zint Barcode Studio, a QT frontend to zint
sudo apt install zint-qt- Section: universe/graphics
- Architecture: amd64
- Source Package: zint
- 8 dependencies
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Zint
apk95%
zint 2.16.0-r0
Barcode encoding library supporting over 50 symbologies
sudo apk add zint- License: GPL-3.0-or-later
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: zint
- 1 dependencies
- 1 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Zint
apk95%
zint-dev 2.16.0-r0
Barcode encoding library supporting over 50 symbologies (development files)
sudo apk add zint-dev- License: GPL-3.0-or-later
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: zint
- 1 dependencies
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Zint
apk95%
zint-doc 2.16.0-r0
Barcode encoding library supporting over 50 symbologies (documentation)
sudo apk add zint-doc- License: GPL-3.0-or-later
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: zint
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Zint
apk95%
zint-qt 2.16.0-r0
Zint Barcode Studio GUI
sudo apk add zint-qt- License: GPL-3.0-or-later
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: zint
- 1 dependencies
- 1 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Zint
dnf95%
zint 2.15.0-3.fc44
Barcode generator library
sudo dnf install zint- License: BSD-3-Clause AND GPL-3.0-or-later
- Category: Unspecified
- Architecture: i686
- Source Package: zint
- 5 dependencies
- 2 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Zint
dnf95%
zint-devel 2.15.0-3.fc44
Library and header files for zint
sudo dnf install zint-devel- License: BSD-3-Clause AND GPL-3.0-or-later
- Category: Unspecified
- Architecture: i686
- Source Package: zint
- 4 dependencies
- 2 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Zint
dnf95%
zint-qt 2.15.0-3.fc44
Zint Barcode Studio
sudo dnf install zint-qt- License: BSD-3-Clause AND GPL-3.0-or-later
- Category: Unspecified
- Architecture: i686
- Source Package: zint
- 9 dependencies
- 3 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Zint
dnf95%
zint-qt-devel 2.15.0-3.fc44
Library and header files for zint-qt
sudo dnf install zint-qt-devel- License: BSD-3-Clause AND GPL-3.0-or-later
- Category: Unspecified
- Architecture: i686
- Source Package: zint
- 2 dependencies
- 1 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Zint
source trail
Generated from repository data
This page is generated by av-web from the private package SQLite artifact built by scripts/generate-pkg-sqlite.py.
Combined YAML source
View the package source record on GitHub.
Used sources
- Geiger risk classifier
- Nucleus package database
- av.db category and tag curation
- cross-ecosystem install command graph
- curated package history
- external package-manager database matches
- package relationship graph
- package version freshness
- package-page enrichment