How do I write Visual Basic Code to read the input from a barcode scanner?

Question

I want to write software in visual basic that reads the barcode of various items into my program. Any suggestions for how to do this?

Answer 1

This will largely be determined by the barcode reader you use and how it responds to successfully scanning an item. Do you already have the hardware?

Answer 2

Checkout the Stackoverflow question Recommend an Open Source .NET Barcode Reader Library

Answer 3

If you have a hardware barcode scanner to hand it will almost certainly imitate a keyboard, and send the barcode as keystrokes (no special code required, just a textbox and it will put it in there once it is focused).

If you go to the manufacturers website, you will find exactly what it does, and even special barcodes for programming your scanner (such as sending newlines at the end of barcodes, etc).

Otherwise, see my comment to your question above.

Answer 4

You don't need code to read the barcode scanner. It usually comes into the system exactly like it came from the keyboard. Make your app work for the keyboard and you are there.