Given the swift rise in barcode usage, developers must be able to generate barcodes in their preferred programming language. So, this tutorial will demonstrate how to generate barcodes in .NET.

Barcode Generator .NET Tutorial

1. Creating a project in Visual Studio
2. Installing the C# Barcode Generator Library
3. Designing the UI for the Windows Forms Application
4. Writing the code for core functionality
5. Running the .NET barcode generator

Let's begin the tutorial.

Create the Project

This tutorial uses the latest version of Visual Studio and the Windows Forms Application template. You can use the application of your choice and use your existing project and version.

Open Visual Studio > Click on Create New Project > Select Windows Forms Application Template > Press Next > Name the Project > Press Next => Select your target .NET Framework => Click on Create Button.

Create a new Windows Forms Application

Installing the Barcode Library

There are many benefits to installing a barcode generator library. IronBarcode, written in C#, provides functions to create barcodes and QR codes with just a single line of code. It also supports saving the QR code or barcode in the desired file format. Furthermore, it provides free service and runtime support for generating barcodes in .NET.

Let's start with installing the IronBarcode NuGet Package. You can install it using one of the following three methods:

Package Manager Console

Write the following command in the Package Manager Console. It will download and install the package for you.

Install-Package BarCode

Package Manager Console installation step

NuGet Package Manager Solution

You can also install the Barcode Package by using the NuGet Package Solution. Simply follow these steps:

Click on Tools > NuGet Package Manager > Manage NuGet Packages for Solution.

This will open NuGet Package Manager for you. Click on Browse and search "IronBarCode", then install the library.

NuGet Package Manager UI

Download from the Link

As an alternative, the IronBarCode.Dll can be downloaded and added to your project as a reference from .NET Barcode DLL.

Design the Windows Forms

The UI for the .NET Barcode generator should have 2 labels, 1 rich text box, and 1 picture box to display the generated barcode image. The image below shows a simple design for demonstration purposes.

Design the Windows Forms Application

Write Code for Generating Barcode

Double-click the "Generate" button. The following code will appear:

private void button1_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    // This function will be triggered when the "Generate" button is clicked
}

private void button1_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    // This function will be triggered when the "Generate" button is clicked
}

Private Sub button1_Click(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As EventArgs)
	' This function will be triggered when the "Generate" button is clicked
End Sub

Add the following namespaces at the top of your code file:

using IronBarCode; // Import the IronBarCode library to handle barcode operations
using System.Drawing; // Import for image manipulation
using System.Windows.Forms; // Import for Windows Forms functionality

using IronBarCode; // Import the IronBarCode library to handle barcode operations
using System.Drawing; // Import for image manipulation
using System.Windows.Forms; // Import for Windows Forms functionality

Imports IronBarCode ' Import the IronBarCode library to handle barcode operations
Imports System.Drawing ' Import for image manipulation
Imports System.Windows.Forms ' Import for Windows Forms functionality

Write the following code inside the button1_Click() function:

// Generate a barcode with the specified value and encoding
GeneratedBarcode MyBarCode = IronBarCode.BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode(BarcodeValue.Text, BarcodeWriterEncoding.Code128);

// Save the generated barcode as a PNG file
MyBarCode.SaveAsPng("MyBarCode.png");

// Display the generated barcode image in the PictureBox
BarcodeImage.Image = new Bitmap("MyBarCode.png");

// Generate a barcode with the specified value and encoding
GeneratedBarcode MyBarCode = IronBarCode.BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode(BarcodeValue.Text, BarcodeWriterEncoding.Code128);

// Save the generated barcode as a PNG file
MyBarCode.SaveAsPng("MyBarCode.png");

// Display the generated barcode image in the PictureBox
BarcodeImage.Image = new Bitmap("MyBarCode.png");

' Generate a barcode with the specified value and encoding
Dim MyBarCode As GeneratedBarcode = IronBarCode.BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode(BarcodeValue.Text, BarcodeWriterEncoding.Code128)

' Save the generated barcode as a PNG file
MyBarCode.SaveAsPng("MyBarCode.png")

' Display the generated barcode image in the PictureBox
BarcodeImage.Image = New Bitmap("MyBarCode.png")

Let's understand the code, line by line:

• GeneratedBarcode is a data type that represents the generated barcode.

• CreateBarcode is the function from the BarcodeWriter class in the IronBarCode package, used to generate the barcode based on user input.

• BarcodeValue.Text retrieves the text entered by the user, which will be encoded into the barcode.

• BarcodeWriterEncoding.Code128 specifies the encoding scheme for generating the barcode. You can change this to other encoding types like BarcodeWriterEncoding.QRCode for generating QR codes.

• SaveAsPng("MyBarCode.png") saves the barcode image as a PNG file.

• BarcodeImage is a PictureBox control on the form used to display the barcode image to the user.

Run the .NET Barcode Generator

Press Ctrl + F5 to run the application.

Run the Barcode generator application

Write the value inside the text box that you want to encode in the barcode as shown below.

Paste the URL to generate a barcode

Now, click the "Generate" button. The barcode will be generated as shown below.

Generated barcode in the Windows Forms Application

Display the Value of the Barcode

Next, you can display the value of the barcode with a single line of code:

// Add the encoded barcode value as text below the barcode image
MyBarCode.AddBarcodeValueTextBelowBarcode();

// Add the encoded barcode value as text below the barcode image
MyBarCode.AddBarcodeValueTextBelowBarcode();

' Add the encoded barcode value as text below the barcode image
MyBarCode.AddBarcodeValueTextBelowBarcode()

Output

Generate a barcode from a string value

Summary

IronBarcode features a friendly API for developers to read and write barcodes for .NET, optimizing accuracy and ensuring a low error rate in real-world software. Visit the official documentation page for more information about IronBarcode.

Currently, if you buy the complete Iron Suite, you can get five libraries for the price of two. For more information.