Software utilising external barcode scanner

Hi All,

could really use some help with a project i have started. I plan to make a piece of software that utilises the barcode scanner through usb to collect data that i can allot to peoples names like an ID badge but will also tell me what time they scanned and what scanner they used (if i was to use 4 or 5 different scanners).
As i am a complete beginner it would be really useful to know where to start and how to carry on -_-.
Thanks in advance for anyone who puts their time into helping me out

-Monty