HP 5961-0509 manual Typical HP-GL/2 Command

Figure 17-1 Typical HP-GL/2 Command

zMnemonic--The two-letter mnemonic reminds you of the command’s function. The mnemonic can be uppercase or lowercase.

zParameter(s)--Some commands have no parameters; for those commands which have them, parameters can be either required or optional (as indicated in the description of that command).

zSeparator(s)--When you use parameters, you must separate them with a comma or space, or in the case of a numeric parameter, with a + or - sign. (Commas are recommended because some computers eliminate spaces, especially when sending variables.)

zTerminator--All commands require a terminator. Most HP-GL/2 commands are terminated by a semicolon or the first letter of the next mnemonic, a white space, or a tab (exceptions: LB uses a user-defined terminator; PE cannot use the first letter of the next mnemonic). The last command prior to exiting HP-GL/2 mode must be terminated with a semicolon.

The following illustration shows the flexibility of the syntax. Each variation of the two-command sequence is permissible; however, the method shown on the left is recommended in most instances. The recommended method uses the first letter of the next mnemonic to terminate commands, uses no space between the mnemonic and its parameters, and separates parameters with a comma. (For clarity, examples in this HP-GL/2 section of the manual use semicolons as terminators, as shown in the middle example below.)

Figure 17-2 Illustration of Syntax Flexibility

EN HP-GL/2 Commands and Syntax 17-7