Building a Barcode Scanner App with SAP Build: A Low-Code/No-Code Approach

[arshiyasafreen]

Hello Community,

In this Blog you will go through the process of creating a barcode scanner app using SAP Build's low code/no-code approach in a duration of 8-10 minutes. By following below step by step guide. 😁

Pre-requisites

• An active SAP BTP account


• Access to SAP Build Apps


• An understanding of how barcodes work.

Let's get started!!!!

Step 1: Start with SAP Build

After you've logged in to your SAP Build account, click on 'Create' to initiate a new project. Choose a name for your project and select a device type (like a tablet or mobile).

Step 2: Define Your App Design

In the Design Studio, you'll create the layout for your app. Start by dragging and dropping the required components from the control panel onto the design canvas. At the very least, your design should include:

• An input field: To provide guide to the user (Optional)


• A button: That will trigger the barcode scanner.


• A list or table: To display the scanned data.


• An Image: For better User interaction (Optional)

Step 3: Add Logic to the Scan Barcode button.

1. Begin by clicking on the 'Scan Barcode' button. You'll see a default single event node labeled as [EVENT| Component tap] under logic Canvas.


2. Navigate to the logic library on the left-hand side of the interface. Here, you will find the 'Scan QR/barcode' functionality. Drag and drop this functionality into the design canvas.


3. Now, connect the initial 'Component tap' event node to the 'Scan QR/barcode' node.


4. At this point, you'll observe three output options on the right side of the Barcode node:
   
   
   
   • The first one says, "If the barcode was scanned".
   
   
   • The second output is labeled as "Cancelling Operation".
   
   
   • The third output indicates a "Fail/Error Case".
   
   
   
   


5. At this stage, the app is capable of scanning a barcode, but it won't be able to interpret or display the barcode's information.


6. To make the app to read the barcode, you need to add an alert dialog box to the first output of the 'Scan QR/barcode' Node. You can find the dialog box in the 'Component Market' section. Simply drag and drop it onto your desired location.


7. Next, go to the 'Properties' view of the Alert dialog box and link its output value to another node.


8. As shown below, the receiver event node refers to the 'Component Tap' event, while the scan barcode node refers to the output node.


9. Now click on “Save".

Step 5: Test Your Prototype

Once you've set up your app, it's important to test it. SAP Build offers a preview functionality where you can interact with your prototype. Click on the 'Launch' button to preview the app. You can simulate the scanning process by scanning a barcode manually into the input field and verify if the app fetches the correct product data.

Below is the sample output.

Here are my final thoughts,

As we have seen, the process involves designing a UI and simply adding logic to components. With platforms like SAP Build, innovative and efficient app development is within reach for anyone. If your business requires such an application, SAP Build allows you to prototype the app quickly, validate the design, and gather feedback.

Stay tuned for more updates and insights! 😊