IEEE-488 Reference
3-23
3.9 Programming syntax
The following information covers syntax for both common commands and SCPI commands.
For information not covered here, refer to the IEEE-488.2 and SCPI standards.
Command words
Program messages are made up of one or more command words.
1.
Commands and command parameters:
Common commands and SCPI commands may
or may not use a parameter. Examples:
*SAV <NRf> Parameter (NRf) required.
*RST No parameter used.
:INITiate:CONTinuous <b> Parameter (<b>) required.
:SYSTem:PRESet No parameter used.
Note that there must be at least one space between the command word and the parameter.
Brackets [ ]:
There are command words that are enclosed in brackets ([]). These brackets
are used to denote an optional command word that does not need to be included in the pro-
gram message. For example:
:INITiate[:IMMediate]
The brackets indicate that :IMMediate is implied (optional) and does not have to be used.
Thus, the above command can be sent in one of two ways:
:INITiate or :INITiate:IMMediate
Notice that the optional command is used without the brackets.
Do not include the brack-
ets when using an optional command word.
Parameter types:
Some of the more common parameter types are explained as follows:
<b> Boolean: Used to enable or disable an instrument operation. 0 or OFF dis-
ables the operation, and 1 or ON enables the operation. Example:
:CURRent:AC:RANGe:AUTO ON Enable auto-ranging.
AC|DC Explicit: This is an example of two explicit parameters to choose from; AC
or DC. Example:
:CURRent:AC:COUPling AC Select AC coupling
<name> Name parameter: Select a parameter name from a listed group. Example:
<name> = NEVer
= NEXt
= ALWays
= PRETrigger
:TRACe:FEED:CONTrol PRETrigger
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