User manual

Section 2: TSP Programming Fundamentals Series 3700 System Switch/Multimeter Reference Manual
2-8 3700S-901-01 Rev. C / July 2008
Run-time environment
The run-time environment is a collection of global variables (scripts) that you
have created. After scripts are placed into the run-time environment, they are
then ready to be run and/or managed. Scripts are placed in the run-time
environment as follows:
Scripts saved in nonvolatile memory of the Series 3700 are automatically
recalled into the run-time environment when the instrument is turned on.
Named scripts that you have created and loaded are also placed in the run-
time environment. A named script resides in volatile memory and must be
saved to nonvolatile memory to retain it after power-off.
An unnamed script that you have created and loaded is also placed in the
run-time environment. Remember that only one unnamed script, referred to
as the "anonymous script," can be in the run-time environment. If another
unnamed script is created and loaded, it will replace the old unnamed script
in the run-time environment. An unnamed script resides in volatile memory
and must be saved to nonvolatile memory to retain it after power-off.
Nonvolatile memory
New or modified user scripts loaded into the Series 3700 reside in the run-time
environment and are lost when the unit is turned off. To save a script after
power-down, you must save it in nonvolatile memory. When the Series 3700 is
turned back on, all saved scripts will load into the run-time environment.
NOTE Do not confuse the run-time environment with the nonvolatile memory
of the Series 3700. Making changes to a script in the run-time
environment does not affect the stored version of that script. After
making changes, saving the script will overwrite the old version of the
script in nonvolatile memory.
TSPTM programming levels
Instrument control library (ICL) commands and Test Script Language (TSL)
programming statements are used to program and control the Series 3700.
There are two levels of programming:
Sending commands and statements (on page 2-15): Non-scripted chunks
are executed one line at a time by the PC.
User scripts (on page 2-16): A program script is run after you have created
and loaded it into the Series 3700. An interactive script is a type of script
that interacts with the operator. It provides user-defined messages on the
Series 3700 display to prompt the operator to enter parameters from the
front panel.