Keithley 2651A Reference Manual page 182

Model 2651A High Power System SourceMeter® Instrument Reference Manual
The following programming example illustrates how to use the $$ character code to display the
message "You owe me $8" on the top line:
display.clear()
display.setcursor(1, 1)
display.settext("You owe me $$8")
If the extra $ character is not included, the $8 would be interpreted as an undefined character code
and will be ignored. The message "You owe me" will instead be displayed.
Be careful when embedding character codes in the text string; it is easy to forget that the character
following the $ is part of the code. For example, assume you want to display "Hello" on the top line
and "Nate" on the bottom line, and so you send the following command:
display.settext("Hello$Nate")
The above command displays "Hello" on the top line and "ate" on the bottom line. The correct syntax
for the command is as follows:
display.settext("Hello$NNate")
Returning a text message
The display.gettext() function returns the displayed message (text) and can be used in five
ways:
text = display.gettext()
text = display.gettext(embellished)
text = display.gettext(embellished, row)
text = display.gettext(embellished, row, columnStart)
text = display.gettext(embellished, row, columnStart, columnEnd)
Where:
embellished
row
columnStart
columnEnd
Sending the command without the row parameter returns both lines of the display. The $N character
code will be included to show where the top line ends and the bottom line begins. The $N character
code will be returned even if embellished is set to false.
With embellished set to true, all other character codes that were used in the creation of each
message line will be returned along with the message. With embellished set to false, only the
message will be returned.
Sending the command without the columnStart parameter defaults to column 1. Sending the
command without the columnEnd argument defaults to the last column (column 20 for row 1, column
32 for row 2).
2651A-901-01 Rev. A / March 2011
Returns text as a simple character string (false) or includes character codes (true)
The row to read text from (1 or 2); if not included, text from both rows is read
Starting column for reading text
Ending column for reading text
NOTE
Section 3: Functions and features
3-75