266  
Chapter 4  Remote Interface Reference
An Introduction to the SCPI Language
4
Command Format Used in This Manual 
The format used to show commands in this manual is illustrated below: 
FREQuency {<frequency>|MINimum|MAXimum} 
The command syntax shows most commands (and some parameters) as 
a mixture of upper- and lower-case letters. The upper-case letters 
indicate the abbreviated spelling for the command. For shorter program 
lines, you can send the abbreviated form. For better program readability, 
you can send the long form. 
For example, in the above syntax statement, FREQ and FREQUENCY are 
both acceptable forms. You can use upper- or lower-case letters. 
Therefore, FREQUENCY, freq, and Freq are all acceptable. Other forms, 
such as FRE and FREQUEN, will generate an error. 
•
Braces
 ( 
{ }
 ) enclose the parameter choices for a given command string
. 
The braces are not sent with the command string. 
•A vertical bar ( | ) separates multiple parameter choices for a given 
command string. 
• Triangle brackets ( < > ) indicate that you must specify a value for the 
enclosed parameter. For example, the above syntax statement shows 
the frequency parameter enclosed in triangle brackets. The brackets 
are not sent with the command string. You must specify a value for 
the parameter (such as "FREQ 5000"). 
•
Some parameters are enclosed in 
square brackets
 ( 
[ ]
 ). The square 
brackets
 indicate that the parameter is optional and can be omitted. 
The brackets are not sent with the command string. If you do not 
specify a value for an optional parameter, the function generator 
chooses a default value. 
33210A users guide.book  Page 266  Wednesday, July 16, 2008  11:16 AM