2-7 Notational Conventions Programming with SCPI
2-10 PN: 10580-00319 Rev. N S412E PM
2-7 Notational Conventions
The SCPI interface standardizes command syntax and style to simplify the task of
programming across a wide range of instrumentation. As with any programming language,
the exact command keywords and command syntax must be used. Unrecognized commands
or improper syntax will not function.
For further information about SCPI command syntax and style, refer to the Standard
Commands for Programmable Instruments (SCPI) 1999.0 document.
Table 2-5. Notational Conventions
: A colon links command keywords together to form commands. The colon is not an
actual part of the keyword, but is a signal to the SCPI interface parser. A colon must
precede a root keyword immediately following a semicolon (see “Notational
Examples” on page 2-11).
; A semicolon separates commands if multiple commands are placed on a single
program line.
[] Square brackets enclose one or more optional keywords.
{} Braces enclose one or more keyword or command parameters that may be included
one or more times.
| A vertical bar indicates “or” and is used to separate alternative parameter options.
Example: ON | OFF is the same as ON or OFF.
<> Angle brackets enclose parameter descriptions.
::= Means “is defined as”. For example: <a>::=<b><c> indicates that <b><c> can
replace <a>.
sp Space, referred to as white space, must be used to separate keywords from their
associated data parameters. It must not be used between keywords or inside
keywords.
XXX Indicates a root command name.
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