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jay-areFlag for United States of America

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Barcode scanning & VB.Net

Hello Experts

I'm trying to develop a webform using vb.net that will print barcodes and also scan them.  I've never done anything with barcodes before.  I see some recommendations for Symbol scanners.  What's the easiest/best way to proceed with this?  If I purchase a Symbol scanner will it come with some sort of API I can use to tie it into my web app?  I'd only really need the barcode to be a simple series of numbers like "12345".  

So I'm trying to write two programs, one that can print off a barcode and another that will scan that same code and retrieve some info from a ms sql db.  Ideas/Suggestions?

Thanks!
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Jaime Olivares
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There are two simple solutions for your needs:
Scanning. Choose a keyboard-interfaced scanner, usually a wedge. Symbol is a great brand, but why to pay $1000 for a state-of-the-art scanner when you can pay just $100 or $200 for a simple application?
Printing. Printing a barcode can be as easy as selecting a "barcode" font, and write to your form as with any other text.
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ASKER

The Symbol scanners seem to cost about $150 a pop which isn't unreasonable to me.  I like the idea of a hand-held scanner to provide my clients with something that is very easy to use.
As I stated, a scanner with keyboard interface will be the easiest solution, you have to look to specific model. This way, the scanner simulates a keyboard input, and you won't need any kind of API or special programming.
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So when a client scans a barcode it just automatically types in the barcode for them? "12345"?

So if I set focus to a textbox when the program loads and they scan something it just automatically uses a kb interface to input the barcode?
>>So when a client scans a barcode it just automatically types in the barcode for them? "12345"?
YES
>>So if I set focus to a textbox when the program loads and they scan something it just automatically uses a kb interface to input the barcode?
YES
>>Something like this?  
>>http://www.nationalbarcode.com/Symbol/LS2208.htm
Specific model:
LS2208-SR20001R-KR LS 2200 Scanner
(Keyboard Wedge Kit, Scanner, PS/2 Cable, Software and Stand)
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ASKER

Wow that makes life a lot simpler.  How about an app that prints the barcodes?  There's a way to print the webform and convert the code "12345" into a barcode using a font?  Any code samples out there?
>>There's a way to print the webform and convert the code "12345" into a barcode using a font
Just use a barcode font instead of Arial or similar. The is a deployment problem with a webform. You cannot ensure the truetype barcode font is installed in every client machine. Your best chance IMHO is to create a bitmap at server side.


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Is there some vb.net code you know of that handles this sort of thing?
There are some examples at codeproject.com (search for 'barcode' keyword), but almost all are written in C# and C++.
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Jaime Olivares
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I think I have enough to get started now.  Thanks for all the help!