User`s guide

30 Agilent VISA User’s Guide
3 Programming with VISA
VISA Resources and Attributes
This section introduces VISA resources and attributes,
including:
• VISA Resources
• VISA Attributes
VISA Resources
In VISA, a resource is defined as any device (such as a
voltmeter) with which VISA can provide communication.
VISA defines six resource classes that a complete VISA
system, fully compliant with the VXIplug&play Systems
Alliance specification, can implement. Each resource class
includes:
• Attributes to determine the state of a resource or session
or to set a resource or session to a specified state.
•Events for communication with applications.
•Operations (functions) that can be used for the resource
class.
A summary description of each resource class supported by
Agilent VISA follows. See VISA Resource Classes in the VISA
Online Help for a description of the attributes, events, and
operations for each resource class.
NOTE
Although the Servant Device-Side (SERVANT) resource is defined by the
VISA specification, the SERVANT resource is not supported by Agilent
VISA. The SERVANT Resource is intended for advanced users who need to
write code that causes a computer to function as an instrument rather
than as a controller.