User manual

Programming syntax
The information in this section covers syntax for both common commands and SCPI com-
mands. For information not covered here, see the IEEE- 488.2 and SCPI standards.
Command words
Program messages are made up of one or more command words.
Commands and command parameters
Common commands and SCPI commands may or may not use a parameter. The follow-
ing are some examples:
*SAV <NRf> Parameter (NRf) required
*RST No parameter used
:INITiate:CONTinuous <b> Parameter <b> required
:SYSTem:PRESet No parameter used.
Put at least one space between the command word and the parameter.
• Brackets [ ]: Some command words are enclosed in brackets ([ ]). These brackets
are used to denote an optional command word that does not need to be included in
the program message. For example:
:INITiate[:IMMediate]
These brackets indicate that :IMMediate is implied (optional) and does not have to
used. Thus, the above command can be sent in one of two ways:
:INTiate or :INTiate:IMMediate
Notice that the optional command is used without the brackets. When using optional
command words in your program, do not include the brackets.
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