Implied Commands
Command Parameters
For example, if the command syntax shows DISPlay, then DISP and DISPLAY are both acceptable forms. Other forms of DISPlay, such as DISPL or DISPl will generate an error. You may use upper or lower case letters. Therefore, DISPLAY, display, and DiSpLaY are all acceptable.
Implied commands are those which appear in square brackets ([ ]) in the command syntax. (Note that the brackets are not part of the command and are not sent to the instrument.) Suppose you send a command but do not send the associated implied command. In this case, the instrument assumes you intend to use the implied command and it responds as if you had sent it. For example:
DISPlay:MONitor[:STATe] <state>
The third level command [:STATe] is an implied command. For example, to set the display monitor state, you can send either of the following command statements:
DISPlay:MONitor <state> | or | DISPlay:MONitor:STATe <state> |
Parameter Types. The following table contains explanations and examples of parameter types you might see later in this chapter.
Linking Commands
Parameter Type | Explanations and Example |
|
|
Numeric | Accepts all commonly used decimal representations of number including |
| optional signs, decimal points, and scientific notation. |
| 123, 123E2, |
| Special cases include MINimum, MAXimum, and DEFault. |
|
|
Boolean | Represents a single binary condition that is either true or false. |
| ON, OFF, 1, 0 |
|
|
Discrete | Selects from a finite number of values. These parameters use mnemonics to |
| represent each valid setting. |
| An example is the TRIGger:SOURce <source> |
| command where source can be BUS, EXT, or IMM. |
|
|
Optional Parameters. Parameters shown within square brackets ([ ]) are optional parameters. (Note that the brackets are not part of the command and are not sent to the instrument.) If you do not specify a value for an optional parameter, the instrument chooses a default value. For example, consider the :PORT? [MIN MAX] command. If you send the command without specifying a MINimum or MAXimum parameter, the present PORT? value is returned. If you send the MIN parameter, the command returns the minimum current display channel. If you send the MAX parameter, the command returns the maximum display channel. Be sure to place a space between the command and the parameter.
Linking IEEE 488.2 Common Commands with SCPI Commands. Use a semicolon between the commands. For example:
*RST;DISP:MON ON or DISP:MON ON;*TRG
Linking Multiple SCPI Commands. Use both a semicolon and a colon between the commands. For example:
DISP:MON:PORT 0;:MEAS:DIG:DATA0:WORD::VAL?
40 HP E1459A SCPI Command Reference