QRscript specification

TL;DR

QRscript introduces a formal header-based mechanism to embed executable code inside QR codes (eQR codes) and supports multiple dialects. The approach codifies a generation/execution pipeline: a high-level language is translated to an intermediate representation and then to eQRbytecode, which is encoded into an eQR code and later executed by a device VM after decoding back to IR. The specification details a five-part header (padding, continuation, security, URL, dialect) and supports optional security and URL features, multi-fragment continuation, and an exponential encoding scheme to extend numeric fields, enabling flexible, extensible dialects. By aligning with ISO/IEC 18004 and UTF-8, QRscript aims to enable robust, standards-compatible delivery of executable content via QR codes, with potential for offline and remote execution and modular dialect implementations.

Abstract

This specification document specifies the syntax and semantics of QRscript. The current document only shows the part related to the QRscript header, i.e., the first part of the binary code that must be inserted into the QR code. A QR code containing an executable code is called an executable QR code (eQR code). QRscript supports different dialects, i.e., sublanguages with implementation characteristics specific to the application field. The specifications of the individual dialects will be described in separate documents.

Figures (7)

• Figure 1: Chain of usage of eQR code technology (generation and execution processes)
• Figure 2: QRscript header
• Figure 3: Padding section
• Figure 4: Continuation section
• Figure 5: Security section