Agilent Technologies Infiniium 8000A, Programmer'S Reference Manual

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1- 11
Introduction to Programming
Program Header Options
Program Header Options
You can send program headers using any combination of uppercase or lowercase
ASCII characters. Oscilloscope responses, however, are always returned in
uppercase.
You may send program command and query headers in either long form
(complete spelling), short form (abbreviated spelling), or any combination of
long form and short form. For example:
:TIMEBASE:DELAY 1E-6 is the long form.
:TIM:DEL 1E-6 is the short form.
The rules for the short form syntax are described in the chapter, “Programming
Conventions.”
Character Program Data
Character program data is used to convey parameter information as alpha or
alphanumeric strings. For example, the :TIMEBASE:REFERENCE command
can be set to left, center, or right. The character program data in this case may
be LEFT, CENTER, or RIGHT. The command :TIMEBASE:REFERENCE
RIGHT sets the time base reference to right.
The available mnemonics for character program data are always included with
the instruction's syntax definition. You may send either the long form of
commands, or the short form (if one exists). You may mix uppercase and
lowercase letters freely. When receiving responses, uppercase letters are used
exclusively.
Using Long Form or Short Form
Programs written in long form are easily read and are almost self-documenting.
The short form syntax conserves the amount of computer memory needed for
program storage and reduces I/O activity.