User manual

Section 13: Instrument Control Library (ICL) Series 3700 System Switch/Multimeter Reference Manual
13-28 3700S-901-01 Rev. C / July 2008
Using channel.*() ICL commands
Unless otherwise noted, channel.*() Instrument Control Library (ICL)
commands use the channel list and return the value syntax described below.
The channel list is specified according to the syntax presented in the
channel list legend. Not all ICL commands support the fully described
syntax. Any exclusions are noted in a specific command's documentation.
There are five different types of channels available on the supported Model
3706 cards. These include switch (or relay), backplane, totalizer, DAC, and
digital I/O. Even though the channels are specified in an identical manner,
not all ICL commands act on all channel types. The descriptions of each ICL
command provide more information.
When acting on a range of channels is necessary or more convenient, use
the ':' notation. For example, to specify Channels 1 through 20 on Slot 4, use
4001:4020.
print(channel.getlabel("4001:4020"))
When acting on an entire slot is necessary or more convenient, use the
slotX notation. For example, to specify all channels on Slot 4, use slot4.
print(channel.getlabel("slot4"))
When acting on an entire instrument is necessary or more convenient, use
the allslots notation. For example, to specify channels 1 through 20 on
Slot 4, use allslots.
print(channel.getlabel("allslots"))
When a range (including slotX and allslots notation) includes mixed
channel types, the invalid channel types are ignored. If an invalid channel
type is individually specified, then an error is generated.
The following errors can occur because of invalid channel list syntax or
specification.
Error Message
Description
invalid specified channel
The channel is specified with the correct
syntax, but does not exist on the card.
invalid character in
channel list
The channel list contains an invalid
character or syntax sequence.
invalid slot in channel
list
The slot specified in the channel list is
empty.
invalid channel type in
channel list
The channel is specified with the correct
syntax, but the channel type is not
supported by the specified ICL
command.
no valid channels in
channel list
After processing, no valid channels
remain in the command to act upon.