An Introduction To The Scpi Language - Agilent Technologies EPM-P Series Programming Manual

Power Meter Remote Operation

An Introduction to the SCPI Language

An Introduction to the SCPI Language
Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments (SCPI) defines how
you communicate with an instrument from a bus controller. The SCPI
language uses a hierarchical structure similar to the file systems used by
many bus controllers. The command tree is organized with root-level
commands (also called subsystems) positioned at the top, with multiple
levels below each root-level command. You must specify the complete path
to execute the individual lower-level commands.
"A" Subsystem "B" Subsystem "C" Subsystem
:D :E :F :G :H :I :J :K :L=:C:L
:M
:N=:B:H:N
Mnemonic Forms
Each keyword has both a long and a short form. A standard notation is
used to differentiate the short form keyword from the long form keyword.
The long form of the keyword is shown, with the short form portion shown
in uppercase characters, and the rest of the keyword shown in lowercase
characters. For example, the short form of TRIGger is TRIG.
Using a Colon (:)
When a colon is the first character of a command keyword, it indicates
that the next command mnemonic is a root-level command. When a colon
is inserted between two command mnemonics, the colon moves the path
down one level in the present path (for the specified root-level command)
of the command tree. You must separate command mnemonics from each
other using a colon. You can omit the leading colon if the command is the
first of a new program line.
1-98 EPM-P Series Power Meters Programming Guide
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