Introduction To The Scpi Language - Keysight 8990B Programming Manual

Introduction to the SCPI Language

SCPI, also known as Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments, 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.
:D
Figure 1-1
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 upper-case
characters, and the rest of the keyword shown in lower-case characters. For
example, the short form of AVERage is AVER.
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.
Keysight 8990B Programming Guide
"A" subsystem
:E :F
Hierarchical structure of SCPI
"B" subsystem
:G :H :I
:M
:N=:B:H:N
8990B Remote Operation
"C" subsystem
:J :K :L=:C:L
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