SCPI Command Format
SCPI commands perform functions like setting outputs, querying instrument states, or retrieving data. The command structure is a hierarchical structure that usually consists of a top level (or root) command, one or more lower level commands, and their parameters. The following example shows part of a typical subsystem:
SOURcen:
FUNCtion:
MODE <CURRent VOLTage>
SOURcen: is the root command (where n is replaced by the channel number in the
range of 1 to 16), FUNCtion: is a second level command, MODE is a third level command, and <CURRent VOLTage> is an input parameter.
A colon (:) always separates one command from the next lower level command. This is illustrated as follows:
SOURcen:FUNCtion:MODE VOLT
Colons separate the root command from the second level (SOURcen:FUNCtion) and the second from third level (FUNCtion:MODE), and so forth.
Abbreviated and The command syntax shows most commands as a mix of upper and lower case Short Commands letters. The upper case letters indicate an abbreviated spelling for the command.
For shorter program lines, send only the abbreviated form. For better program readability use the entire command. The instrument will accept either the abbreviated form or the entire command.
For example, if the command reference syntax shows the command TRIGger, then TRIG and TRIGGER are both acceptable forms. Other forms of TRIGger, such as TRIGG or TRIGGE will generate an error.
The instrument does not distinguish between upper case and lower case characters. Therefore TRIGGER, trigger, and TrigGeR are all acceptable.
Command keywords can be entered in their full form, as shown above, or can be entered in their short form. In this manual, the entry required in short form commands is always capitalized. The short form is generally used for examples in this manual.
60 HP E1418A SCPI Command Reference | Chapter 3 |