Program Messages - Keithley 6430 Instruction Manual

Short-form rules
Use the following rules to determine the short-form version of any SCPI command:
• If the length of the command word is four letters or less, no short form version exists.
Example:
:auto = :auto
These rules apply to command words that exceed four letters:
• If the fourth letter of the command word is a vowel (including "y"), delete it and all the
letters after it. Example:
:immediate = :imm
• If the fourth letter of the command word is a consonant, retain it but drop all the letters
after it. Example:
:format = :form
• If the command contains a question mark (?; query) or a non-optional number included
in the command word, you must include it in the short-form version. Example:
:delay? = :del?
• Command words or characters that are enclosed in brackets ([ ]) are optional and need
not be included in the program message.
NOTE For fastest response to commands, always use short forms.

Program messages

A program message is made up of one or more command words sent by the computer to the
instrument. Each common command is a three letter acronym preceded by an asterisk (*). SCPI
commands are categorized in the :STATus subsystem and are used to explain how command
words are structured to formulate program messages.
:STATus
:OPERation
:ENABle <NRf>
:ENABle?
:PRESet
Remote Operations
Path (Root)
Path
Command and parameter
Query command
Command
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