Fluke 225C Programming Reference Manual page 3

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2. INTRODUCTION TO PROGRAMMING
** Basic Programming Information **
When you have installed the PM9080 as described in the
previous chapter, you can control the ScopeMeter
from the computer with simple communication facilities, such
as GWBASIC, QuickBASIC and QBASIC (programming languages from
Microsoft Corporation).
All examples given in this manual are in the QBASIC language
but will also run in QuickBASIC. QuickBASIC allows you to
make executable files from programs so you can start such
programs directly from DOS.
It is assumed that you have knowledge of these programming
languages. QBASIC is supplied with Microsoft MS-DOS 5.0 and
higher and Windows 95, 98, and NT, including 'on-line' Help.
Features of the syntax and protocol for the ScopeMeter
are as follows:
- Easy input format with a 'forgiving' syntax:
All commands consist of two characters that can be
UPPER or lower case.
Parameters that sometimes follow the command may be
separated from it by one or more separation characters.
- Strict and consistent output format:
Alpha character responses are always in UPPERCASE.
Parameters are always separated by a comma
("," = ASCII 44, see Appendix D).
Responses always end with the carriage return code
(ASCII 13). Because the carriage return code is a
non-visible character (not visible on the screen or on
paper), this character is represented as <cr> in the
command syntax.
- Synchronization between input and output:
After receipt of every command, the ScopeMeter
returns an acknowledge character (digit) followed by the
carriage return code (ASCII 13). This indicates that the
command has been successfully received and executed.
The computer program must always read this acknowledge
response before sending the next command to the
ScopeMeter.
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