HP 53150A Series Programming Manual page 54

Chapter 3 Programming Your Counter for Remote Operation
Elements of SCPI Commands
sp
mnemonic parameter
*
?
NOTE NOTE: sp = space. ASCII character decimal 32
Figure 3-7. Simplified Common Command Syntax Diagram
Abbreviated Commands
The command syntax shows most keywords as a mixture of upper- and
lowercase letters. Uppercase letters indicate the abbreviated spelling for
the command. For better program readability, you may send the entire
keyword. The HP 53150A/151A/152A accepts either command form and is
not case sensitive.
For example, if the command syntax shows DISPlay, then DISP and
DISPLAY are both acceptable forms. Other forms of DISPlay, such as
DISPL or DISPLA are illegal, and they generate errors. You may use
upper and/or lower case letters. Therefore, DISPLAY, display, and
DiSpLaY are all acceptable.
Keyword Separator
A colon (:) always separates one keyword from the next lower-level
keyword as shown below:
:DISPlay:ENABle?
Optional Keyword
Optional keywords are those which appear in square brackets ([ ]) in the
command syntax. (Note that the brackets are not part of the command
and are not sent to the Counter.)
Suppose you send a second level keyword without the preceding optional
keyword. In this case, the Counter assumes you intend to use the optional
keyword and responds as if you had sent it.
3-14 Programming Guide