Keithley 2002

IEEE-488 Reference
3-25
mands in the long-form version. However, the short-form version is indicated by upper case
characters. Examples:
:SYSTem:PRESet Long-form
:SYST:PRES Short-form
:SYSTem:PRES Long and short-form combination
Note that each command word must be in long-form or short-form, and not something in
between. For example, :SYSTe:PRESe is illegal and will generate an error. The command
will not be executed.
Short-form rules: The following rules can be used to determine the short-form version of
any SCPI command:
A. If the length of the command word is four letters or less, there is no short-form version.
Example:
:auto = :auto
B. The following rules apply to command words that exceed four letters:
a. If the fourth letter of the command word is a vowel, delete it and all the letters after
it. Example:
:immediate = :imm
Rule exception – The short-form version of the following command uses only the
first two letters of the word:
:TCouple = :tc
b. If the fourth letter of the command word is a consonant, retain it but drop all the
letters after it. Example:
:output = :outp
C. If there is a question mark (?; query) or a non-optional number included in the com-
mand word, it must be included in the short-form version. Examples:
:delay? = :del?
:layer2 = :lay2
D. As previously explained, command words or characters that are enclosed in brackets
([]) are optional and need not be included in the program message.