Programming Syntax; Command Words - Keithley 2303 User Manual

Programming syntax

The information in the following paragraphs covers syntax for both common commands and
SCPI commands. 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 and parameters.
Commands and command parameters
Common commands and SCPI commands may or may not use a parameter. The following
are some examples:
*SAV <NRf>
*RST
:DISPlay:TEXT:STATe <b>
:STATus:PRESet
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:
:FORMat[:DATA]?
These brackets indicate that :DATA is implied (optional) and does not have to be used. Thus,
the above command can be sent as :FORMat? or :FORMat:DATA?.
Notice that the optional command is used without the brackets. When using optional com-
mand words in your program, do not include the brackets.
Parameter types — The following are some of the more common parameter types:
• <b>
• <name> Name parameter — Select a parameter name from a listed group. Example:
:CURRent:LIMit:TYPE TRIP Turn output off when current limit reached.
Boolean — Used to enable or disable an instrument operation. 0 or OFF disables
the operation, and 1 or ON enables the operation. Example:
:DISPlay:TEXT:STATe ON Enable text message mode of display.
<name> = LIMit
= TRIP
Parameter (NRf) required
No parameter used
Parameter <b> required
No parameter used.
GPIB Operation 6-7