GPIB Operation 7-11
Case sensitivity
Common commands and SCPI commands are not case sensitive. You can use upper or lower
case and any case combination. Examples:
*RST = *rst
:DATA? = :data?
:STATus:PRESet = :status:preset
Long-form and short-form versions
A SCPI command word can be sent in its long-form or short-form version. The command
subsystem tables in Section 12 provide the long-form version. However, the short-form version
is indicated by upper case characters. Examples:
:STATus:PRESet long-form
:STAT:PRES short-form
:STATus:PRES long-form and short-form combination
Note that each command word must be in either long-form or short-form. For example,
:STATu:PRESe is illegal and will generate an error. The command will not be executed.
Short-form rules
Use the following rules to determine the short-form version of any SCPI command or
parameter:
• If the length of the word is four letters or
less, no short form version exists. Example:
:auto = :auto
These rules apply to words that exceed four letters:
• If the fourth letter of the word is a vowel, delete
it and all the letters after it. Example:
:dvmeter = :dvm
• If the fourth letter of the command word is a c
onsonant, retain it but drop all the letters
after it. Example:
:format = :form
• If the command contains a question mark (?; query) or a non-optional number included
in th
e command word, you must include it in the short-form version. Example:
:function? = :func?
:SOURce2 = :SOUR2
• Command words or characters that are enclosed in brackets ([]) are optional and need
not
be included in the program message.
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