How to Generate QR codes in VB.NET

QR codes have become an essential tool for seamless data sharing, authentication, payments, and marketing. They are widely used across industries for quick access to information. In this article, we will explore how to generate QR codes using IronQR in VB.NET.

IronQR is a powerful .NET library designed to create, customize, and optimize QR codes with ease. It leverages advanced machine learning techniques to ensure high-quality, efficient QR code generation with error correction support.

Why Use IronQR for QR Code Generation?

1. High-Quality Output: It generates sharp and scannable QR codes suitable for multiple applications.
2. Customization Options: Supports various QR code sizes, colors, margins, and embedded logos.
3. Error Correction Levels: Ensures QR codes remain readable even when partially damaged.
4. Cross-Platform Support: Works seamlessly on Windows, Linux, and macOS.
5. Supports Various QR Code Formats: Generates QR codes for text, URLs, contact details, and more.
6. Machine Learning Optimization: Uses AI-based enhancements for better QR code readability and generation speed.
7. Easy to implement: It provides user-friendly methods for quick and efficient QR code creation.
8. Fast and Efficient: Optimized for performance to handle large-scale QR code generation.

We will generate VB.NET QR Code Generator in a Console Application using the Iron QR Code Library. First, we will install the IronQR Librray in Visual Studio with .NET Framework support. Then, we will write the source code to create and customize QR codes. This implementation will allow us to generate and save QR codes efficiently within our Console Application.

Installation

To use IronQR in your VB.NET project, install it via NuGet Package Manager:

Install-Package IronQR

This will add IronQR to your project, enabling you to start generating QR codes effortlessly.

Example 1: Generate a Basic QR Code from Text

The following example demonstrates how to generate a simple QR code containing text and save it as an image.

Imports IronQr
Imports IronSoftware.Drawing

Module Program
    Sub Main(args As String())
        Dim qrcode As QrCode = QrWriter.Write("Hello World")
        Dim qrImage As AnyBitmap = qrcode.Save()
        qrImage.SaveAs("myQr.png")
    End Sub
End Module

Code Explanation:

Imports IronQR & IronSoftware.Drawing: Enables QR code generation and image handling.
Generates QR Code: QrWriter.Write("Hello World") creates a QR code with the given text.
Converts QR to Image: qr.Save() returns an AnyBitmap representation of the QR code.
Saves as PNG: qrImage.SaveAs("myQr.png") writes the QR code image to a file.

Output:

Example 2: Generate a QR Code for a URL

This example generates a QR code for a website URL, making it easier for users to scan and visit a webpage.

Imports IronQr
Imports IronSoftware.Drawing

Module Program
    Sub Main(args As String())
        Dim qr As QrCode = QrWriter.Write("https://www.wikipedia.org/")
        Dim qrImage As AnyBitmap = qr.Save()
        qrImage.SaveAs("myUrlQr.png")
    End Sub
End Module

Code Explanation:

Imports IronQR & IronSoftware.Drawing: Enables QR code generation and image handling.
Creates QR Code: QrWriter.Write("https://www.wikipedia.org/") generates a QR for the URL.
Converts to Image: qr.Save() returns an AnyBitmap representation of the QR code.
Saves as PNG: qrImage.SaveAs("myUrlQr.png") stores the QR code image file.

Output:

Example 3: Generate an Advanced QR Code with Logo and Custom Styling

You may want to generate a QR code with a logo, custom colors, and high error correction for branding purposes. This example demonstrates how to achieve that.

Imports IronQr
Imports IronSoftware.Drawing
Imports Color = IronSoftware.Drawing.Color

Module Module2
    Sub Main()
        ' Set QR options
        Dim options As New QrOptions(QrErrorCorrectionLevel.High, 20)


        ' Create a QR Code object
        Dim myQr As QrCode = QrWriter.Write("greetings terra", options)

        ' Fancy style options
        Dim logoBmp As New AnyBitmap("logo.png")
        Dim style As New QrStyleOptions With {
            .Dimensions = 300,
            .Margins = 10,
            .Color = Color.Gray,
            .Logo = New QrLogo With {
                .Bitmap = logoBmp,
                .Width = 100,
                .Height = 100,
                .CornerRadius = 2
            }
        }

        ' Apply style and save QR Code
        Dim qrImage As AnyBitmap = myQr.Save(style)
        qrImage.SaveAs("myStyledQR.png")
    End Sub
End Module

Code Explanation:

Imports Required Libraries: IronQr for QR code generation and IronSoftware.Drawing for image handling.
Configures QR Options: QrOptions(QrErrorCorrectionLevel.High, 20) sets high error correction and a margin of 20.
Generates QR Code: QrWriter.Write("greetings terra", options) creates a QR code with the specified options.
Applies Styling: QrStyleOptions sets dimensions, margins, color, and embeds a logo (logo.png).
Saves QR Code: myQr.Save(style) generates the styled QR image, and SaveAs("myStyledQR.png") stores it as a file.
Output:

Example 4: Reading a QR Code Image

You might need to extract information from a QR code in some applications. The following example demonstrates reading a QR code from an image file.

Imports IronQr
Imports IronSoftware.Drawing
Imports Color = IronSoftware.Drawing.Color

Module Module2
    Sub Main()
        ' Open the asset to read a QR Code from
        Dim inputBmp = AnyBitmap.FromFile("myUrlQr.png")

        ' Load the asset into QrImageInput
        Dim imageInput As New QrImageInput(inputBmp)

        ' Create a QR Reader object
        Dim reader As New QrReader()

        ' Read the Input an get all embedded QR Codes
        Dim results As IEnumerable(Of QrResult) = reader.Read(imageInput)

        For Each result As QrResult In results
            Console.WriteLine("QR Code Data: " & result.Value)
        Next


    End Sub
End Module

Code Explanation:

Imports Required Libraries: IronQr for QR code processing and IronSoftware.Drawing for image handling.
Loads QR Code Image: AnyBitmap.FromFile("myUrlQr.png") reads the QR code image from a file.
Prepares Image Input: QrImageInput(inputBmp) converts the bitmap into a format suitable for QR code processing.
Creates QR Reader: QrReader() initializes an object to decode QR codes from the image.
Reads QR Codes: reader.Read(imageInput) extracts all QR codes embedded in the image.
Loops Through Results: Iterates over IEnumerable(Of QrResult) and prints each detected QR code's value.

Output:

Conclusion:

Generating QR codes in VB.NET using IronQR is an efficient and flexible approach for various applications, including payments, authentication, and marketing. With its high-quality output, customization options, cross-platform support, and machine-learning optimization, IronQR makes QR code generation and reading seamless. Unlike the QRCoder library, which primarily focuses on basic QR code generation, IronQR offers advanced features like built-in QR code reading, error correction, and support for multiple image formats, making it a superior choice for professional and enterprise-level applications.

To explore the full potential of IronQR, you can start with a free trial, allowing you to test its capabilities and evaluate its performance in real-world scenarios. Once satisfied, you can choose from various licensing options to access premium features, commercial use rights, and dedicated support.