User Manual

CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION TO SCPI 3
Simple integer <nr1> the usual range of numbers depending on the command
Decimal number <nr2> Digits with an explicit decimal point. Example: 0.0123
Exponential number <nr3> Digits with an explicit decimal point and an exponent. Example: 2.73E+2
Any format number <nrf> Extended format that includes <nr1>, <nr2> and <nr3>.
String <str> String representation of a value Ex: AUTO, ON
Boolean value <bool> Boolean values, On, O 1 or 0
Table 1.1: SCPI parameter units
1.2.6 Long-form and Short-form Versions
A SCPI command word is sent in its long-form or short-form version. The command descriptions provide the long-
form version and indicate the short-form with upper case characters.
Example:
Long Form Short Form Mixed
:SYSTem:PRESet :SYST:PRES :SYSTem:PRES
Note: Each command word must be in long-form or short-form, and not something in between. For example,
:SYSTe:PRESe is illegal and will generate an error.
1.2.7 ery commands
ery commands are signified by a “?” at the end. Most commands include a query version for reading back a
configured value, or for retrieving data from an operation. The syntax for a query command is listed in “ery Syn-
tax” heading of each command, if available. At the command level, a query command consists of a write command
followed by a read. The write-read pair must be sent in sequence.
1.3 Data Types