Appendix C Glossary - HP E1419A User Manual

Appendix C
The following terms have special meaning when related to the HP E1419.
Algorithm In general, an algorithm is a tightly defined procedure
that performs a task. This manual, uses the term to
indicate a program executed within the HP E1419 that
implements a data acquisition and control algorithm.
Algorithm The algorithm programming language specific to the
HP E1419. This programming language is a subset of the
Language
ANSI 'C' language.
Application The program that runs in the VXIbus controller, either
embedded within the VXIbus mainframe, or external and
Program
interfaced to the mainframe. The application program
typically sends SCPI commands to configure the
HP E1419, define its algorithms, then start the algorithms
running. Typically, once the HP E1419 is running
algorithms, the application need only "oversee" the
control application by monitoring the algorithms' status.
During algorithm writing, debugging, and tuning, the
application program can retrieve comprehensive data
from running algorithms.
Buffer In this manual, a buffer is an area in RAM memory that
is allocated to temporarily hold:
Data input values that an algorithm will later access.
This is the Input Channel Buffer.
Data output values from an algorithm until these
values are sent to hardware output channels. This is
the Output Channel Buffer.
Data output values from an algorithm until these
values are read by your application program. This is
the First-In-First-Out or FIFO buffer.
A second copy of an array variable containing
updated values until it is "activated" by an update.
This is "double buffering".
A second version of a running algorithm until it is
"activated" by an update. This is only for algorithms
that are enabled for swapping. This is also "double
buffering".
Appendix C
Glossary
Glossary 371