How to Integrate Barcode Scanner into Web Application

In today's digital age, the seamless convergence of physical and virtual worlds has become increasingly important for optimizing various processes. One example of such integration that exemplifies this trend is the incorporation of a barcode scanner into web applications. By bridging the gap between tangible products and online functionalities, businesses and individuals alike can unlock a realm of possibilities, from effortless inventory management and enhanced user experiences to streamlined data entry, efficient tracking systems, and scanning QR codes. This integration not only enhances the overall functionality of online applications but also paves the way for a more interconnected and efficient digital ecosystem.

In this article, we will use IronBarcode to add a barcode scanner to a web application. With the addition of a barcode scanner into a web-based application, images could be scanned and uploaded from any camera-equipped device, maximizing the mobility of the digital ecosystem.

How to Integrate Barcode Scanner into a Web Application

1. Download The C# IronBarcode Library.
2. Create a new ASP.NET web application project in Visual Studio.
3. Design the Front-End using HTML5 and CSS.
4. Write backend methods that will take the uploaded QR Code and convert it into text.
5. Display the result using a Label.

IronBarcode

IronBarcode stands as a powerful solution at the intersection of technology and convenience, offering developers a robust toolkit to smoothly integrate barcode scanning and generation into their applications. With its comprehensive features and intuitive design, IronBarcode empowers businesses and programmers to effortlessly decode, encode, and manipulate barcodes within their software environments. Whether it be aiming to optimize inventory management, facilitate data exchange, or enhance user experiences, IronBarcode opens up a realm of possibilities, simplifying the complex world of barcode processing and enabling applications to interact with the physical world in a digital manner using the browser. IronBarcode supports all the Barcode formats and Barcode Symbologies.

Creating a Barcode Scanning Web Application

In this section, we will demonstrate how to use IronBarcode to build a web application that will scan barcodes and display results.

1. Start by creating a new ASP.NET web application project in Visual Studio as shown in the images below.

   

   

2. Install IronBarcode using the NuGet Package Manager Console.

   To do so, open the NuGet Package Manager Console and run the following command to install IronBarcode:

   Install-Package IronBarCode

   Install-Package IronBarCode

   SHELL

   You can also download the package directly from the NuGet website.

3. Once the installation is complete, open the Default.aspx file and replace it with your frontend code. This will create a file upload button, a button with text 'Scan Barcode', and a label to show the results.

   <%@ Page Title="Home Page" Language="C#" MasterPageFile="~/Site.Master" AutoEventWireup="true" CodeBehind="Default.aspx.cs" Inherits="WebApplication6._Default" %>
   
   <asp:Content ID="BodyContent" ContentPlaceHolderID="MainContent" runat="server">
       <div><br /><br /><br />
           <asp:FileUpload ID="fileUpload" runat="server" />
           <br />
           <asp:Button ID="btnScan" runat="server" Text="Scan Barcode" OnClick="btnScan_Click" />
           <br />
           <asp:Label ID="lblResult" runat="server"></asp:Label>
       </div>
   </asp:Content>

   <%@ Page Title="Home Page" Language="C#" MasterPageFile="~/Site.Master" AutoEventWireup="true" CodeBehind="Default.aspx.cs" Inherits="WebApplication6._Default" %>
   
   <asp:Content ID="BodyContent" ContentPlaceHolderID="MainContent" runat="server">
       <div><br /><br /><br />
           <asp:FileUpload ID="fileUpload" runat="server" />
           <br />
           <asp:Button ID="btnScan" runat="server" Text="Scan Barcode" OnClick="btnScan_Click" />
           <br />
           <asp:Label ID="lblResult" runat="server"></asp:Label>
       </div>
   </asp:Content>

   HTML

4. Now we will write the backend code that will take an uploaded image, scan it for a QR code or Barcode, and display the results.

   Open the Default.aspx.cs file and replace the existing code with the following:

   using IronBarCode;
   using System;
   using System.IO;
   
   public partial class _Default : System.Web.UI.Page
   {
       // Event handler for the 'Scan Barcode' button click
       protected void btnScan_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
       {
           try
           {
               // Ensure a file has been uploaded
               if (fileUpload.HasFile)
               {
                   // Get the uploaded file stream
                   Stream stream = fileUpload.PostedFile.InputStream;
   
                   // Use IronBarcode to read the barcode from the stream
                   var barcodeResults = BarcodeReader.Read(stream);
   
                   // Display the scanned barcode result
                   lblResult.Text = "Scanned Barcode: " + barcodeResults;
               }
               else
               {
                   lblResult.Text = "Please upload an image.";
               }
           }
           catch (Exception ex)
           {
               // Display any errors that occur during the scanning process
               lblResult.Text = "Error: " + ex.Message;
           }
       }
   }

   using IronBarCode;
   using System;
   using System.IO;
   
   public partial class _Default : System.Web.UI.Page
   {
       // Event handler for the 'Scan Barcode' button click
       protected void btnScan_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
       {
           try
           {
               // Ensure a file has been uploaded
               if (fileUpload.HasFile)
               {
                   // Get the uploaded file stream
                   Stream stream = fileUpload.PostedFile.InputStream;
   
                   // Use IronBarcode to read the barcode from the stream
                   var barcodeResults = BarcodeReader.Read(stream);
   
                   // Display the scanned barcode result
                   lblResult.Text = "Scanned Barcode: " + barcodeResults;
               }
               else
               {
                   lblResult.Text = "Please upload an image.";
               }
           }
           catch (Exception ex)
           {
               // Display any errors that occur during the scanning process
               lblResult.Text = "Error: " + ex.Message;
           }
       }
   }

   Imports IronBarCode
   Imports System
   Imports System.IO
   
   Partial Public Class _Default
   	Inherits System.Web.UI.Page
   
   	' Event handler for the 'Scan Barcode' button click
   	Protected Sub btnScan_Click(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As EventArgs)
   		Try
   			' Ensure a file has been uploaded
   			If fileUpload.HasFile Then
   				' Get the uploaded file stream
   				Dim stream As Stream = fileUpload.PostedFile.InputStream
   
   				' Use IronBarcode to read the barcode from the stream
   				Dim barcodeResults = BarcodeReader.Read(stream)
   
   				' Display the scanned barcode result
   				lblResult.Text = "Scanned Barcode: " & barcodeResults
   			Else
   				lblResult.Text = "Please upload an image."
   			End If
   		Catch ex As Exception
   			' Display any errors that occur during the scanning process
   			lblResult.Text = "Error: " & ex.Message
   		End Try
   	End Sub
   End Class

   $vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

5. Now our project is complete, we can run it and open a web page at the following URL "https://localhost:44335/Default".

   

6. Click on the Choose File button and upload the image containing the QR code.

   

7. At the end, click on the Scan Barcode button; it will display the output below the button.

   

Above are all the steps for creating a web page that has barcode scanning capabilities. Now you will be able to read barcodes online, and it is easily integrated with your web applications using IronBarcode.

Conclusion

Incorporating a barcode scanner into web applications through tools and solutions like IronBarcode represents a transformative convergence of physical and digital realms, facilitating seamless interactions between tangible products and online functionalities. This integration empowers businesses and individuals to enhance processes, from streamlined inventory management to efficient data entry, while also simplifying complex barcode processing, thereby fostering a more interconnected and optimized digital ecosystem. The step-by-step guide provided here offers a comprehensive blueprint for effortlessly adding barcode scanning capabilities into web applications, demonstrating the potential of technology to revolutionize user experiences and redefine the boundaries between the virtual and physical worlds.

For a detailed tutorial on how to read barcodes with code examples using IronBarcode visit here. To learn how you can use IronBarcode with a Blazor Application, visit this link.