zbar-py Fails to pip install on Windows 10

[Chris45215]

I've tried to install zbar-py on Windows 10, with several versions of Python (3.6, 3.7, and 3.9), but it fails each time. I have downloaded and installed the .exe's for iconv that the readme says are needed (as the link goes to exe's rather than dll's), but those did not appear to change anything and I still cannot install zbar-py. It's possible that I didn't take sufficient actions regarding the iconv files - if that's the case, then can the readme please be updated to say exactly what to do with them beyond just downloading them and running the .exe files (such as, if we're supposed to copy dll's from whatever the exe installs, it would be great if it said where to copy them from and then where to place them - because those iconv exe's and zips do not contain any DLL's).

Otherwise, when I try installing zbar-py via pip (executed in Visual Studio 2019's python 3.9 environment), or when I try to install directly from command line, this is the result:

Collecting zbar-py==1.0.4
Using cached zbar-py-1.0.4.tar.gz (543 kB)
Requirement already satisfied: numpy in c:\users\chris\source\repos\pythonapplication1\pythonapplication1\python3.9env\lib\site-packages (from zbar-py==1.0.4) (1.20.1)
Using legacy 'setup.py install' for zbar-py, since package 'wheel' is not installed.
Installing collected packages: zbar-py
Running setup.py install for zbar-py: started
Running setup.py install for zbar-py: finished with status 'error'
ERROR: Command errored out with exit status 1:
command: 'C:\Users\chris\source\repos\PythonApplication1\PythonApplication1\Python3.9Env\Scripts\python.exe' -u -c 'import sys, setuptools, tokenize; sys.argv[0] = '"'"'C:\Users\chris\AppData\Local\Temp\pip-install-stweh31z\zbar-py_e32456a6856a4af49d10fc0d5f6b4ec6\setup.py'"'"'; file='"'"'C:\Users\chris\AppData\Local\Temp\pip-install-stweh31z\zbar-py_e32456a6856a4af49d10fc0d5f6b4ec6\setup.py'"'"';f=getattr(tokenize, '"'"'open'"'"', open)(file);code=f.read().replace('"'"'\r\n'"'"', '"'"'\n'"'"');f.close();exec(compile(code, file, '"'"'exec'"'"'))' install --record 'C:\Users\chris\AppData\Local\Temp\pip-record-w1moyddt\install-record.txt' --single-version-externally-managed --compile --install-headers 'C:\Users\chris\source\repos\PythonApplication1\PythonApplication1\Python3.9Env\include\site\python3.9\zbar-py'
cwd: C:\Users\chris\AppData\Local\Temp\pip-install-stweh31z\zbar-py_e32456a6856a4af49d10fc0d5f6b4ec6
Complete output (60 lines):
running install
running build
running build_py
creating build
creating build\lib.win-amd64-3.9
creating build\lib.win-amd64-3.9\zbar
copying zbar\misc.py -> build\lib.win-amd64-3.9\zbar
copying zbar\zbar.py -> build\lib.win-amd64-3.9\zbar
copying zbar_init_.py -> build\lib.win-amd64-3.9\zbar
running build_ext
building 'zbar._zbar' extension
creating build\temp.win-amd64-3.9
creating build\temp.win-amd64-3.9\Release
creating build\temp.win-amd64-3.9\Release\Source
creating build\temp.win-amd64-3.9\Release\Source\zbar
creating build\temp.win-amd64-3.9\Release\Source\zbar\decoder
creating build\temp.win-amd64-3.9\Release\Source\zbar\qrcode
creating build\temp.win-amd64-3.9\Release\zbar
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2019\Community\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.27.29110\bin\HostX86\x64\cl.exe /c /nologo /Ox /W3 /GL /DNDEBUG /MD -DENABLE_QRCODE -DENABLE_EAN -DENABLE_I25 -DENABLE_CODE39 -DENABLE_CODE128 -DENABLE_PDF417 -DHAVE_INTTYPES_H -DZBAR_VERSION_MAJOR=0 -DZBAR_VERSION_MINOR=10 -DNO_STATS -ISource -ISource/zbar -IC:\Users\chris\source\repos\PythonApplication1\PythonApplication1\Python3.9Env\include -IC:\Users\chris\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39\include -IC:\Users\chris\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39\include -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2019\Community\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.27.29110\ATLMFC\include -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2019\Community\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.27.29110\include -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\NETFXSDK\4.8\include\um -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\ucrt -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\shared -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\um -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\winrt -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\cppwinrt /TcSource/zbar/decoder.c /Fobuild\temp.win-amd64-3.9\Release\Source/zbar/decoder.obj
decoder.c
Source/zbar/decoder.c(88): warning C4311: 'type cast': pointer truncation from 'unsigned int *' to 'long'
Source/zbar/decoder.c(88): warning C4311: 'type cast': pointer truncation from 'zbar_decoder_t *' to 'long'
Source/zbar/decoder.c(387): warning C4018: '>': signed/unsigned mismatch
Source/zbar/decoder.c(397): warning C4018: '<': signed/unsigned mismatch
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2019\Community\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.27.29110\bin\HostX86\x64\cl.exe /c /nologo /Ox /W3 /GL /DNDEBUG /MD -DENABLE_QRCODE -DENABLE_EAN -DENABLE_I25 -DENABLE_CODE39 -DENABLE_CODE128 -DENABLE_PDF417 -DHAVE_INTTYPES_H -DZBAR_VERSION_MAJOR=0 -DZBAR_VERSION_MINOR=10 -DNO_STATS -ISource -ISource/zbar -IC:\Users\chris\source\repos\PythonApplication1\PythonApplication1\Python3.9Env\include -IC:\Users\chris\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39\include -IC:\Users\chris\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39\include -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2019\Community\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.27.29110\ATLMFC\include -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2019\Community\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.27.29110\include -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\NETFXSDK\4.8\include\um -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\ucrt -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\shared -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\um -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\winrt -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\cppwinrt /TcSource/zbar/decoder/code128.c /Fobuild\temp.win-amd64-3.9\Release\Source/zbar/decoder/code128.obj
code128.c
Source/zbar/decoder/code128.c(222): warning C4018: '>': signed/unsigned mismatch
Source/zbar/decoder/code128.c(222): warning C4018: '>': signed/unsigned mismatch
Source/zbar/decoder/code128.c(326): warning C4018: '<': signed/unsigned mismatch
Source/zbar/decoder/code128.c(349): warning C4018: '<': signed/unsigned mismatch
Source/zbar/decoder/code128.c(483): warning C4018: '>': signed/unsigned mismatch
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2019\Community\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.27.29110\bin\HostX86\x64\cl.exe /c /nologo /Ox /W3 /GL /DNDEBUG /MD -DENABLE_QRCODE -DENABLE_EAN -DENABLE_I25 -DENABLE_CODE39 -DENABLE_CODE128 -DENABLE_PDF417 -DHAVE_INTTYPES_H -DZBAR_VERSION_MAJOR=0 -DZBAR_VERSION_MINOR=10 -DNO_STATS -ISource -ISource/zbar -IC:\Users\chris\source\repos\PythonApplication1\PythonApplication1\Python3.9Env\include -IC:\Users\chris\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39\include -IC:\Users\chris\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39\include -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2019\Community\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.27.29110\ATLMFC\include -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2019\Community\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.27.29110\include -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\NETFXSDK\4.8\include\um -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\ucrt -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\shared -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\um -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\winrt -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\cppwinrt /TcSource/zbar/decoder/code39.c /Fobuild\temp.win-amd64-3.9\Release\Source/zbar/decoder/code39.obj
code39.c
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2019\Community\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.27.29110\bin\HostX86\x64\cl.exe /c /nologo /Ox /W3 /GL /DNDEBUG /MD -DENABLE_QRCODE -DENABLE_EAN -DENABLE_I25 -DENABLE_CODE39 -DENABLE_CODE128 -DENABLE_PDF417 -DHAVE_INTTYPES_H -DZBAR_VERSION_MAJOR=0 -DZBAR_VERSION_MINOR=10 -DNO_STATS -ISource -ISource/zbar -IC:\Users\chris\source\repos\PythonApplication1\PythonApplication1\Python3.9Env\include -IC:\Users\chris\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39\include -IC:\Users\chris\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39\include -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2019\Community\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.27.29110\ATLMFC\include -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2019\Community\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.27.29110\include -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\NETFXSDK\4.8\include\um -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\ucrt -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\shared -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\um -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\winrt -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\cppwinrt /TcSource/zbar/decoder/ean.c /Fobuild\temp.win-amd64-3.9\Release\Source/zbar/decoder/ean.obj
ean.c
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2019\Community\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.27.29110\bin\HostX86\x64\cl.exe /c /nologo /Ox /W3 /GL /DNDEBUG /MD -DENABLE_QRCODE -DENABLE_EAN -DENABLE_I25 -DENABLE_CODE39 -DENABLE_CODE128 -DENABLE_PDF417 -DHAVE_INTTYPES_H -DZBAR_VERSION_MAJOR=0 -DZBAR_VERSION_MINOR=10 -DNO_STATS -ISource -ISource/zbar -IC:\Users\chris\source\repos\PythonApplication1\PythonApplication1\Python3.9Env\include -IC:\Users\chris\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39\include -IC:\Users\chris\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39\include -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2019\Community\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.27.29110\ATLMFC\include -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2019\Community\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.27.29110\include -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\NETFXSDK\4.8\include\um -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\ucrt -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\shared -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\um -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\winrt -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\cppwinrt /TcSource/zbar/decoder/i25.c /Fobuild\temp.win-amd64-3.9\Release\Source/zbar/decoder/i25.obj
i25.c
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2019\Community\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.27.29110\bin\HostX86\x64\cl.exe /c /nologo /Ox /W3 /GL /DNDEBUG /MD -DENABLE_QRCODE -DENABLE_EAN -DENABLE_I25 -DENABLE_CODE39 -DENABLE_CODE128 -DENABLE_PDF417 -DHAVE_INTTYPES_H -DZBAR_VERSION_MAJOR=0 -DZBAR_VERSION_MINOR=10 -DNO_STATS -ISource -ISource/zbar -IC:\Users\chris\source\repos\PythonApplication1\PythonApplication1\Python3.9Env\include -IC:\Users\chris\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39\include -IC:\Users\chris\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39\include -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2019\Community\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.27.29110\ATLMFC\include -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2019\Community\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.27.29110\include -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\NETFXSDK\4.8\include\um -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\ucrt -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\shared -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\um -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\winrt -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\cppwinrt /TcSource/zbar/decoder/pdf417.c /Fobuild\temp.win-amd64-3.9\Release\Source/zbar/decoder/pdf417.obj
pdf417.c
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2019\Community\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.27.29110\bin\HostX86\x64\cl.exe /c /nologo /Ox /W3 /GL /DNDEBUG /MD -DENABLE_QRCODE -DENABLE_EAN -DENABLE_I25 -DENABLE_CODE39 -DENABLE_CODE128 -DENABLE_PDF417 -DHAVE_INTTYPES_H -DZBAR_VERSION_MAJOR=0 -DZBAR_VERSION_MINOR=10 -DNO_STATS -ISource -ISource/zbar -IC:\Users\chris\source\repos\PythonApplication1\PythonApplication1\Python3.9Env\include -IC:\Users\chris\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39\include -IC:\Users\chris\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39\include -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2019\Community\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.27.29110\ATLMFC\include -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2019\Community\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.27.29110\include -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\NETFXSDK\4.8\include\um -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\ucrt -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\shared -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\um -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\winrt -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\cppwinrt /TcSource/zbar/decoder/qr_finder.c /Fobuild\temp.win-amd64-3.9\Release\Source/zbar/decoder/qr_finder.obj
qr_finder.c
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2019\Community\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.27.29110\bin\HostX86\x64\cl.exe /c /nologo /Ox /W3 /GL /DNDEBUG /MD -DENABLE_QRCODE -DENABLE_EAN -DENABLE_I25 -DENABLE_CODE39 -DENABLE_CODE128 -DENABLE_PDF417 -DHAVE_INTTYPES_H -DZBAR_VERSION_MAJOR=0 -DZBAR_VERSION_MINOR=10 -DNO_STATS -ISource -ISource/zbar -IC:\Users\chris\source\repos\PythonApplication1\PythonApplication1\Python3.9Env\include -IC:\Users\chris\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39\include -IC:\Users\chris\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39\include -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2019\Community\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.27.29110\ATLMFC\include -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2019\Community\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.27.29110\include -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\NETFXSDK\4.8\include\um -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\ucrt -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\shared -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\um -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\winrt -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\cppwinrt /TcSource/zbar/error.c /Fobuild\temp.win-amd64-3.9\Release\Source/zbar/error.obj
error.c
C:\Users\chris\AppData\Local\Temp\pip-install-stweh31z\zbar-py_e32456a6856a4af49d10fc0d5f6b4ec6\Source\zbar\error.h(174): warning C4996: 'strdup': The POSIX name for this item is deprecated. Instead, use the ISO C and C++ conformant name: _strdup. See online help for details.
Source/zbar/error.c(39): warning C4114: same type qualifier used more than once
Source/zbar/error.c(127): warning C4267: 'initializing': conversion from 'size_t' to 'int', possible loss of data
Source/zbar/error.c(129): warning C4996: 'sprintf': This function or variable may be unsafe. Consider using sprintf_s instead. To disable deprecation, use _CRT_SECURE_NO_WARNINGS. See online help for details.
Source/zbar/error.c(134): warning C4267: 'initializing': conversion from 'size_t' to 'int', possible loss of data
Source/zbar/error.c(137): warning C4996: 'strdup': The POSIX name for this item is deprecated. Instead, use the ISO C and C++ conformant name: _strdup. See online help for details.
Source/zbar/error.c(139): warning C4996: 'sprintf': This function or variable may be unsafe. Consider using sprintf_s instead. To disable deprecation, use _CRT_SECURE_NO_WARNINGS. See online help for details.
Source/zbar/error.c(143): warning C4996: 'sprintf': This function or variable may be unsafe. Consider using sprintf_s instead. To disable deprecation, use _CRT_SECURE_NO_WARNINGS. See online help for details.
Source/zbar/error.c(147): warning C4996: 'sprintf': This function or variable may be unsafe. Consider using sprintf_s instead. To disable deprecation, use _CRT_SECURE_NO_WARNINGS. See online help for details.
Source/zbar/error.c(155): warning C4996: 'strerror': This function or variable may be unsafe. Consider using strerror_s instead. To disable deprecation, use _CRT_SECURE_NO_WARNINGS. See online help for details.
Source/zbar/error.c(157): warning C4996: 'sprintf': This function or variable may be unsafe. Consider using sprintf_s instead. To disable deprecation, use _CRT_SECURE_NO_WARNINGS. See online help for details.
Source/zbar/error.c(169): warning C4996: 'sprintf': This function or variable may be unsafe. Consider using sprintf_s instead. To disable deprecation, use _CRT_SECURE_NO_WARNINGS. See online help for details.
Source/zbar/error.c(176): warning C4996: 'sprintf': This function or variable may be unsafe. Consider using sprintf_s instead. To disable deprecation, use _CRT_SECURE_NO_WARNINGS. See online help for details.
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2019\Community\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.27.29110\bin\HostX86\x64\cl.exe /c /nologo /Ox /W3 /GL /DNDEBUG /MD -DENABLE_QRCODE -DENABLE_EAN -DENABLE_I25 -DENABLE_CODE39 -DENABLE_CODE128 -DENABLE_PDF417 -DHAVE_INTTYPES_H -DZBAR_VERSION_MAJOR=0 -DZBAR_VERSION_MINOR=10 -DNO_STATS -ISource -ISource/zbar -IC:\Users\chris\source\repos\PythonApplication1\PythonApplication1\Python3.9Env\include -IC:\Users\chris\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39\include -IC:\Users\chris\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39\include -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2019\Community\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.27.29110\ATLMFC\include -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2019\Community\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.27.29110\include -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\NETFXSDK\4.8\include\um -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\ucrt -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\shared -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\um -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\winrt -IC:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\include\10.0.18362.0\cppwinrt /TcSource/zbar/img_scanner.c /Fobuild\temp.win-amd64-3.9\Release\Source/zbar/img_scanner.obj
img_scanner.c
Source/zbar/img_scanner.c(24): fatal error C1083: Cannot open include file: 'unistd.h': No such file or directory
error: command 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2019\Community\VC\Tools\MSVC\14.27.29110\bin\HostX86\x64\cl.exe' failed with exit code 2
----------------------------------------
ERROR: Command errored out with exit status 1: 'C:\Users\chris\source\repos\PythonApplication1\PythonApplication1\Python3.9Env\Scripts\python.exe' -u -c 'import sys, setuptools, tokenize; sys.argv[0] = '"'"'C:\Users\chris\AppData\Local\Temp\pip-install-stweh31z\zbar-py_e32456a6856a4af49d10fc0d5f6b4ec6\setup.py'"'"'; file='"'"'C:\Users\chris\AppData\Local\Temp\pip-install-stweh31z\zbar-py_e32456a6856a4af49d10fc0d5f6b4ec6\setup.py'"'"';f=getattr(tokenize, '"'"'open'"'"', open)(file);code=f.read().replace('"'"'\r\n'"'"', '"'"'\n'"'"');f.close();exec(compile(code, file, '"'"'exec'"'"'))' install --record 'C:\Users\chris\AppData\Local\Temp\pip-record-w1moyddt\install-record.txt' --single-version-externally-managed --compile --install-headers 'C:\Users\chris\source\repos\PythonApplication1\PythonApplication1\Python3.9Env\include\site\python3.9\zbar-py' Check the logs for full command output.
----- Successfully installed 'zbar-py==1.0.4' -----

Does installation work correctly on Linux? If so, I can try to switch to a Linux OS for my project, but it would be helpful to know if the installation is likely to be successful before I embark on that time commitment.

[yugal-gupta]

I am also getting same error ,do u find any solution

[zpincus]

This should work fine on Linux. There are some hits online for bodging together a replacement unistd.h on windows, which is what looks to be the problem.

Another option would be to try a different zbar python library -- I think there are a few. I am no longer actively doing anything with this one.