Instruction manual

Chapter 1 Before You Start...

How to Use This Guide

Programming Guide 1-5

Experienced Programmers

If you have programmed other GPIB instruments, you are probably

familiar with many of the concepts and techniques discussed in this guide.

Using the SCPI commands is also very similar to using the earlier GPIB

commands. The main difference between the two command sets is the

hierarchy of the subsystem commands. (However, this type of structure

has previously been used on other instruments.)

Because the SCPI command set and some of the status reporting

techniques are new, we advise you to use the following sequence to learn

the Counter programming requirements:

• Look over the steps for a new user, and perform any that you

think are applicable to your current level of knowledge. In

particular, look at the measurement techniques and examples

provided in Chapter 3, “Programming Your Counter for Remote

Operation.”

• Review the summary tables in Chapter 2, “Command Summary.”

If this chapter contains sufficient information to get you started,

write some test programs to explore the Counter's capabilities.

If you need additional information on any command, refer to the

applicable command description in Chapter 4, “Command Reference.”

• Review the remaining information in this guide to determine what

is applicable to your programming requirements.

If you need more information than is contained in this guide, see the

section in this chapter titled “Related Documentation.”

Applications

After you have read the appropriate information and written some

measurement programs, you may want to expand the scope of your

applications. The following two techniques are explained in detail:

• If you are going to write interrupt-driven programs (or if you just

want to determine the status of the Counter), read the section

titled “Status Reporting” in Chapter 3.

• If you are going to write programs to transfer data between the

Counter and an external computer, read the section titled

“Overview of Response Message Formats” in Chapter 3.