Agilent Technologies L4400 manual Syntax Conventions, Keywords, Braces and Vertical Bars, Brackets

Operating and Programming 3

ROUTe is the root keyword of the command, MONitor is a second- level key- words, CHANnel is a third- level keyword, and so on. A colon ( : ) separates a command keyword from a lower- level keyword.

Syntax Conventions

The SCPI syntax convention can be defined using the command shown below:

ROUTe:CHANnel:DRIVe:PULSe:WIDTh {<seconds>MINMAXDEF},

(@<ch_list>)

Keywords

The command syntax shows that most commands (and some parameters) are a mixture of upper- and lower- case letters. The upper- case letters indicate the abbreviated spelling for the command. For shorter program lines, you can send the abbreviated form. For better program readability, you can send the long form.

For example, in the above syntax statement DRIV and DRIVE are both acceptable forms. You can also use a combination of upper- and lower- case letters. When sending a command, the abbreviated form or the complete spelling of the command must be used. Any other combination will generate a syntax error.

Braces and Vertical Bars

Braces ( { } ) enclose the parameter choices for a given command string. The braces are not sent with the command string.

A vertical bar ( ) separates multiple parameter choices for a given command string.

Brackets

Triangle brackets ( < > ) indicate that you must specify a value for the enclosed parameter. For example, the syntax statement shows the <seconds> parameter enclosed in triangle brackets. The brackets are not sent with the command string. You must specify a value for the parameter.

Optional Parameters

Some parameters are enclosed in square brackets ( [ ] ). This indicates that the parameter is optional and can be omitted. The brackets are not sent with the command string. If you do not specify a value for an optional parameter, the instrument chooses a default value.

L4400 User’s Guide 53