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Published March 7, 2024

How to use the VB .NET For Barcode Reader Component

Introduction

Effective and precise barcode reading is a critical component of many software development applications in a variety of sectors. Barcode technology makes data input easier, improves accuracy, and increases operational efficiency in a variety of industries, including retail, healthcare, logistics, and inventory management. Technology breakthroughs have made it easier and more easy to integrate barcode reading capabilities into VB.NET applications.

This post will examine the topic of VB.NET barcode reader and discuss how IronBarcode, a well-liked .NET barcode library, may make the process go more smoothly. We will go through the basics of barcodes, the value of a barcode scanner in VB.NET applications, and how to use IronBarcode to build barcode scanning capabilities.

How to use the VB .NET For Barcode Reader Component

1. Create a new project.
2. Import the IronBarcode Library.
3. Set the Image Path and Build an Instance of the BarcodeReader.
4. Analyze data from barcodes.
5. Print Barcode Information on the console.

Understanding Barcodes

In today's world, barcodes are found on a wide range of items, including identity cards, shipping labels, and product packaging. These machine-readable codes encode data in a way that .NET barcode reader components can readily read by using parallel lines, bars, and gaps of different lengths.

Barcodes have several uses, such as

• Inventory management includes keeping tabs on stock levels, overseeing resources, and optimizing supply chain processes.
• Retail: Managing pricing, monitoring sales, and expediting checkout procedures.
• Healthcare: Accurately and efficiently identifying individuals, prescription drugs, and medical equipment.
• Document management includes organizing records, indexing materials, and making retrieval easier.
• There are several types of barcodes, such as QR codes, Code 39, Code 128, EAN (European Article Number), and UPC (Universal Product Code). Every format has unique qualities and works well with various applications.

IronBarcode

A complete .NET barcode scanner DLL library called IronBarcode makes your project to read and generate barcodes in VB.NET applications easier. Regardless of the complexity of their applications, developers may easily integrate barcode reading capabilities by using IronBarcode's user-friendly APIs.

Key features of IronBarcode include

• Support for a Variety of Barcode Formats: IronBarcode is compatible with several industry standards and supports many barcode formats, such as UPC-A, UPC-E, EAN-8, EAN-13, Code 39, Code 128, QR codes, and more.
• High Accuracy: IronBarcode uses cutting-edge algorithms to guarantee dependable and precise barcode detection, especially in difficult situations when barcodes are damaged or of poor quality.
• Simple Integration: IronBarcode easily integrates into VB.NET projects thanks to its clear API and thorough documentation, allowing for the quick creation and implementation of barcode reading capabilities.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: IronBarcode may be used on a variety of platforms and contexts since it is compatible with both the.NET Framework and.NET Core.
• Options for Customization: To meet their unique needs, developers can alter the type, orientation, size, and resolution of barcodes as well as other features of barcode scanners.
• Seamless .NET Integration: IronBarcode supports 32-bit and 64-bit architectures and is compatible with .NET Framework and .NET Core implementations.

To learn more about the IronBarcode refer here.

Creating a New Project in Visual Studio

Select "New Project" from the file menu while Visual Studio is open, then "Console App," "Windows Forms," or "WPF Application." We are selecting the Visual Basic Console App in this article. There are a wide range of applications for barcodes. Programs like Webform/MVC/MVC Core are another option.

Enter the project name and choose the file path in the corresponding text box. Select "Next" by clicking.

Next, make the required selection. We are choosing a net framework for our lesson .NET 6.0, after which you should select "Create" to start the project.

If you select a console application, the project will now create the necessary framework and launch the program.cs file, allowing you to input code and execute/build the application.

Installing the IronBarcode Library

Downloading the necessary package is necessary to use the IronBarcode library in the solution. Use the following command in the Package Manager console to do this:

Install-Package BarCode

Similar to the picture below:

Other options include utilizing the NuGet Package Manager to look for and download the "Barcode" package, which will show all the search results. After that, you may decide which of their packages to download and install into the software.

Barcode Reading Using IronBarcode

Let's now examine how to use IronBarcode in VB.NET to scan barcode images:

Imports IronBarCode
Module Program
    Sub Main()
        Dim imagePath As String = "Demo.png"
        ' Read barcodes from the image file
        Dim result = BarcodeReader.Read(imagePath)
        ' Check if any barcode was detected
        If result IsNot Nothing AndAlso result.Count > 0 Then
            ' Iterate over detected barcodes
            For Each barcode In result
                ' Print barcode type and value
                Console.WriteLine($"Barcode Type: {barcode.BarcodeType}")
                Console.WriteLine($"Barcode Value: {barcode.Value}")
            Next
        Else
            Console.WriteLine("No barcode found in the image.")
        End If
    End Sub
End Module

Imports IronBarCode
Module Program
    Sub Main()
        Dim imagePath As String = "Demo.png"
        ' Read barcodes from the image file
        Dim result = BarcodeReader.Read(imagePath)
        ' Check if any barcode was detected
        If result IsNot Nothing AndAlso result.Count > 0 Then
            ' Iterate over detected barcodes
            For Each barcode In result
                ' Print barcode type and value
                Console.WriteLine($"Barcode Type: {barcode.BarcodeType}")
                Console.WriteLine($"Barcode Value: {barcode.Value}")
            Next
        Else
            Console.WriteLine("No barcode found in the image.")
        End If
    End Sub
End Module

'INSTANT VB TODO TASK: The following line uses invalid syntax:
'@Imports IronBarCode Module Program @Sub Main() @Dim imagePath @As String = "Demo.png" ' Read barcodes from the image file @Dim result = BarcodeReader.Read(imagePath) ' Check if any barcode was detected @If result @IsNot @Nothing @AndAlso result.Count > 0 @Then ' Iterate over detected barcodes @For @Each barcode @In result ' Print barcode type @and value Console.WriteLine(string.Format("Barcode Type: {0}", barcode.BarcodeType)) Console.WriteLine(string.Format("Barcode Value: {0}", barcode.Value)) @Next @Else Console.WriteLine("No barcode found in the image.") @End @If @End @Sub @End Module

To utilize IronBarcode functionality, start by importing the IronBarcode namespace. Specify the location of the picture file with the barcode images you wish to read. The path to your barcode image files should be substituted for "path/to/barcode_image.jpg". Create an instance of the BarcodeReader object, which offers ways to read barcodes from various sources.

Using the BarcodeReader's Read method to scan barcode data from the designated picture file. Verify whether any barcodes can be found in the picture. If barcodes are located, report the type and value of each iteration to the console. If not, print a message saying that the barcode was not detected. we are going to read the below barcode image with the help of the above code.

Below is the image generated from the above barcode image.

View the tutorial by clicking this link to learn more about creating barcodes.

Conclusion

IronBarcode's comprehensive capabilities and user-friendly API make it easy to read barcodes in VB.NET applications. Developers may extract useful data for their apps by decoding barcodes from picture files with a few lines of code. IronBarcode gives you the tools you need to construct inventory management systems, retail apps, or document processing solutions that can perform barcode reading jobs properly and effectively. VB.NET developers may easily improve their apps' functionality and expedite barcode identification operations by utilizing IronBarcode.

The licensing details are available here. IronBarcode comes in a paid version and a free developer license. For $599, the light edition comes with a year's worth of free updates and support. To know more about Iron Software products refer here.