There are a wide variety of barcode scanning devices available from Intermec, Symbol, and Honeywell (just three vendors that come to mind, that I've used on various projects over the years).
Do you want a fixed scanner, e.g., one that perhaps is mounted to a table as objects go by on a conveyor?
Do you want a hand-held scanner, the kind with a pistol grip and a trigger button? If so, is it tethered (cabled directly to a PC) or would you prefer it to be wireless?
As far as "programmable", all the barcode readers I've used in at least a decade, can be configured to do specific things (ignore barcodes of unneeded types, send data with a special termination sequence, limit their field of view... programmability is endless). Generally, the simplest way is via specialized configuration barcodes published in a user manual.
The interface type to the barcode device is also generally configurable as well. A given device may be setup to act as a keyboard-class device, where the data scanned generates keystrokes that will "type" directly into whatever application and input box has focus, or as a virtual serial port, where (from LabVIEW) you'd open a serial port at COM<n> and issue reads; when the read doesn't time out, you get your data. In years past, you had to swap cables from the scanner (ending in a DIN/miniDIN for keyboard, or a "DB9" for serial), but now everything I encounter is USB, so changing interfaces is just a setup barcode and perhaps a Windows Device Manager visit.
I've implemented both methods, and each has its advantages and disadvantages. (I now have a reasoned bias in favor of serial.)
Ask further questions if this is all new to you and you want any more specific discussion/recommendations/tips.
Dave
David Boyd
Sr. Test Engineer
Abbott Labs
(lapsed) Certified LabVIEW Developer
