Welcome To Instrument Basic; How To Use This Manual - Agilent Technologies 4396B Gpib Programming Manual

Welcome to Instrument BASIC

This guide will help you learn how to e ectively use Instrument BASIC (IBASIC) of the
4396B Network/Spectrum/Impedance Analyzer. It will help you to perform typical operations
involving program creation, editing, and execution. It will also show you how to save and
recall programs, and how to make the best use of the Instrument BASIC's front-panel and
keyboard interface.
If you are new to programming or to HP's dialect of BASIC, take the time to read this guide
and perform the exercises. For many users, this will provide all the information that is needed
to create and run programs.

How to Use This Manual

The tasks in each chapter, when performed in sequential order, demonstrate a typical use of
Instrument BASIC and cover the most common tasks. Read the overview and try the sample
tasks in each chapter to get you started. For more background information, you can read
further into each chapter; otherwise, go to the next exercises and continue the session. You
can refer back to the individual chapters for more information as necessary. Here is a brief
guide to help you locate the necessary information in this manual and the other Instrument
BASIC manuals.
Chapter 2 introduces the analyzer's Instrument BASIC system and describes how to connect
and use a keyboard.
Chapter 3 and Chapter 4 show creating, getting, and saving programs to teach you front
panel and keyboard operation.
Chapter 5 introduces you to the editing environment.
Chapter 6 provides application programs and useful techniques for developing programs.
Chapter 7 describes interfacing features for graphics, external connector to trigger
RUN/CONTinue of a program, and I/O port.
Chapter 8 introduces special features for auto loading a program, and the On Key Label
function (softkeys de ned in a program). This chapter also describes techniques for speeding
up your programs.
Chapter 9 summarizes the unique features speci ed for the analyzer.
Appendix A contains the information required to adept this manual to earlier versions or
con gurations of the analyzer than the current printing date of this manual.
Appendix B provides references for BASIC commands speci c to the analyzer's Instrument
BASIC.
Appendix C provides a handy reference guide to the analyzer's Instrument BASIC's key
de nitions for the mini-DIN keyboard.
Appendix D describes the softkeys that are used for the Instrument BASIC operations.
Welcome to Instrument BASIC 1-1
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