Updated April 4, 2024
C# Libraries (Updated List of .NET Projects in the Modern World)
C# Library .NET Framework
C# is a flexible programming language from Microsoft among other programming languages, excellent for crafting data structures and building various types of applications like console app, web, mobile, and desktop apps. Devs using C# benefit from a rich collection of libraries, including IronPDF, showcasing the robust .NET implementation that expands what the language can do. These libraries tackle tasks from PDF manipulation and optical character recognition to logging and more, streamlining complex processes so developers can concentrate on what makes their applications unique. Let's explore some of these libraries.
PDF Libraries
IronPDF
IronPDF, easily integrated with Visual Studio, is a comprehensive class library within the .NET framework that aids in the creation, editing, and extraction of PDF content for C# and .NET projects. It can also be used in Java project. What distinguishes IronPDF is that it can generate PDFs directly from HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and image files using extension methods. IronPDF supports essential PDF operations such as adding headers, and footers, and security features like encryption and permissions. Its ability to render PDFs with pixel-perfect accuracy, using a Chrome-based rendering engine, ensures high-quality output that closely matches the original HTML design. IronPDF's versatility and ease of use make it an ideal choice for .NET developers needing to integrate PDF functionality into their applications. IronPDF provides a trial at no cost, and licensing options begin at $1,498.
PDFSharp
PDFSharp is an open-source .NET library designed for creating and processing PDF files with ease. It allows developers to generate PDF documents from scratch, manipulate existing PDFs, and even merge or split documents. The flexibility of PDFSharp extends to drawing on PDF pages, adding graphics or text, and working with different document layers. PDFSharp supports a variety of PDF features, including transparency, font embedding, and image processing.
OCR Libraries
IronOCR
IronOCR is an easy-to-use OCR (Optical Character Recognition) library for .NET developers. It is designed to read and extract text from PDFs and images within .NET apps, offering outputs in plain text or structured data formats. This functionality is vital for applications requiring data extraction from documents, such as scanning invoices, processing identity documents, or automating data entry tasks. Its support spans across different platforms such as Windows, Linux, and macOS. IronOCR simplifies the integration of OCR technology into .NET projects, emphasizing ease of installation and use, without the need for external services or the handling of sensitive documents over the internet. IronOCR provides a free trial, and licensing options begin at $1,498.
Emgu CV
Emgu CV is a .NET wrapper for the OpenCV library, offering C# developers a way to access OpenCV's features easily. This powerful tool enables the creation of advanced computer vision applications, from facial recognition to motion detection, within the .NET environment. It supports a wide range of applications, including real-time image processing and analysis, feature detection, and video capture functionalities. The library is cross-platform, running on Windows, Linux, and Mac, and can be used in desktop, web, and mobile applications.
Barcode and QR Libraries
IronQR
IronQR is a .NET library that specializes in working with QR codes, making it easy for developers to generate and read QR codes within their applications. It's designed to be straightforward, prioritizing accuracy, ease of use, and quick performance. IronQR stands out for its ability to handle QR codes efficiently, offering features such as customization and styling options for QR codes. Its user-friendly API ensures developers can add this capability with minimal coding effort, enhancing the functionality of .NET applications with reliable QR code processing. IronQR provides a trial version at no cost, and licensing options begin at $1,498.
IronBarcode
IronBarcode is a .NET library that simplifies working with barcodes and QR codes for C# developers. It allows the reading and creation of barcodes in applications quickly and with ease. IronBarcode supports a wide range of 1D and 2D barcode types, making it versatile for various uses. It stands out for its accuracy, speed, and user-friendly API, enabling developers to integrate barcode functionality into their .NET projects easily. Whether it's for inventory management, product identification, or document tracking, IronBarcode provides the functions needed to implement barcode scanning and generation features efficiently. IronBarcode provides a trial version at no cost, and licensing options begin at $1,498.
Excel Libraries
IronXL
IronXL is a .NET library enabling developers to work with Excel files without needing Microsoft Office installed. It supports reading, writing, editing, and creating Excel documents directly in .NET applications, using C#. IronXL makes handling Excel files straightforward, providing features for manipulating spreadsheet content, formatting cells, and performing calculations, all without Excel Interop or Office dependencies. This capability is particularly valuable for applications that require dynamic Excel report generation, data analysis, or the conversion of spreadsheets to other formats. IronXL provides a trial version at no cost, and licensing options begin at $1,498.
Microsoft.Office.Interop.Excel
The Microsoft.Office.Interop.Excel library is a .NET InterOp assembly that enables interaction with Microsoft Excel. This assembly provides a rich set of classes and interfaces for managing and manipulating Excel workbooks, sheets, cells, and more directly from .NET code. It's particularly useful for tasks like automating Excel operations, generating dynamic spreadsheet reports, and processing Excel data within .NET applications. Because it relies on the COM InterOp technology, the actual Microsoft Excel application needs to be installed on the host machine for the library to function.
Word Libraries
IronWord
IronWord is a .NET library designed to make working with Word documents easy for developers. It offers the capability to create, read, and edit Word (DOCX) documents directly in .NET applications without requiring Microsoft Word. This library is a boon for automating document management tasks, generating reports, or processing documents dynamically in code. It supports a wide range of Word document features, such as text formatting, images, tables, and more, allowing for the creation of complex Word documents programmatically. IronWord provides a trial version at no cost, and licensing options begin at $1,498.
Microsoft.Office.Interop.Word
The Microsoft.Office.Interop.Word library is a .NET assembly that allows developers to manipulate Word documents directly from their .NET applications. This InterOp assembly acts as a bridge between the .NET code and the COM-based Word application, enabling tasks such as creating, editing, and formatting documents, as well as adding text, images, and tables. It's particularly useful for automating Word document processing tasks, generating reports, and converting documents without needing the Word application open. Because it requires the presence of Microsoft Word on the host machine, it offers a comprehensive set of features for managing Word files, leveraging the full capabilities of the Word application programmatically.
Conclusion
The Iron Suite, including IronPDF, IronOCR, IronQR, IronBarcode, IronXL, and IronWord, offers a wide range of tools for C# developers working on different aspects of app development like handling PDFs, recognizing text from images, working with QR and barcodes, and managing Excel and Word files. These libraries are easy to use, work well with Visual Studio, and provide high-quality results, which makes building complex features simpler. All products offer free trial to test out their features. They have a clear licensing model starting from $1,498.
The Iron Suite offers an excellent deal for teams: you get nine licenses for the price of two, a significant saving on a bundle that includes various tools like IronPDF, IronWord, IronXL, IronOCR, and IronBarcode.
