C#, barcode scanners, and MySQL

[webslinga]

Hey all,
How are you all? I need to develop an application that reads in a barcode scanner's data (using the SDK written in vanilla C/C++), connect to a MySQL server and drop some data in it.
Is this possible using Microsoft Visual C# Express Edition? Thanks for the prompt reply.

 

[webslinga]

Let me clarify, the barcode Scanner's SDK is written in vanilla C/C++. Thanks for helping out a beginner.

 

[chrissie1]

Yep.

Christiaan Baes
Belgium

"My old site" - Me

 

[GoTerps88]

I just got finished writing a barcode scanning application with C# 2005. We use Oracle for the backend store but you may want to look into using a .NET data provider for MySQL, if one exists.

Below is a link to a trial version, but you may be able to find a good free version out there.

http://www.crlab.com/mysqlnet/

Here is a link to use a MySQL provider

http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-3513_11-5684700.html

The mySQL home page may have some other links.

 

[JurkMonkey]

http://www.mysql.com/products/connector/net/

This adapter is written for 2003 but should work in 2005 - possibly without a few of the new "fancy features"

Why are you using a barcode SDK? What kind of barcode scanners are you using?

There's a lot of good barcode readers out there that act as a simple keyboard and have a USB interface. You can also use the Free 3 of 9 barcode font to produce your own barcodes if you needed.

 

[webslinga]

Why are you using a barcode SDK? What kind of barcode scanners are you using?

Excellent question JurkMonkey. I am using Symbol Technologies CS1504. It has the capability to store ~150 barcodes read and can plug in to a USB port. With this model, I do not believe I can simply click on a blank form field and have the scanner spit out the next barcode.

 

[webslinga]

I would really have to request to read the data from the csp2 data.

 

[JurkMonkey]

Is this a wireless barcode scanner? What will its usage be? Are you walking through a warehouse to scan items on the fly expecting to see info about the product directly on the scanner? Or are you sitting at a cash register with the barcode scanner plugged into the terminal directly and displaying the info on the application?

 

[Aptitude]

I assume the Barcode Scanner SDK is provided as a DLL? If so, you will want to have a look at the System.Runtime.InteropServices namespace.

You can declare DLL API calls something like this:

using System.Runtime.InteropServices;

...

    [DllImport("user32.dll", CharSet = CharSet.Auto)]
    public static extern int MessageBox(IntPtr hWnd, String text, String caption, uint type);

Then you just call the function like any other.

 

[webslinga]

Thanks for your post guys,
We have decided to go with a Microsoft Access/VBA solution for this project. Thanks again for all your help and feedback.