HP 53150A Series, Programming Manual

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Chapter 1 Before You Start ...
How to Use This Guide
Programming Guide 1-5
1
Experienced Programmers
If you have programmed other HP-IB instruments, you are probably
familiar with many of the concepts and techniques discussed in this guide.
Using the SCPI commands is also very similar to using the earlier HP-IB
commands. The main difference between the two command sets is the
hierarchy of the subsystem commands. (However, this type of structure
has previously been used on other instruments.)
Because the SCPI command set and some of the status reporting
techniques are new, we advise you to use the following sequence to learn
the Counter programming requirements:
• Look over the steps for a new user, and perform any that you
think are applicable to your current level of knowledge. In
particular, look at the measurement techniques and examples
provided in Chapter 3, “Programming Your Counter for Remote
Operation.”
• Review the summary tables in Chapter 2, “Command Summary.”
If this chapter contains sufficient information to get you started,
write some test programs to explore the Counter's capabilities. If
you need additional information on any command, refer to the
applicable command description in Chapter 4, “Command
Reference .”
• Review the remaining information in this guide to determine what
is applicable to your programming requirements.
If you need more information than is contained in this guide, see the
section in this chapter titled “Related Documentation.”
Applications
After you have read the appropriate information and written some
measurement programs, you may want to expand the scope of your
applications. The following two techniques are explained in detail:
• If you are going to write interrupt-driven programs (or if you just
want to determine the status of the Counter), read the section
titled “Status Reporting” in Chapter 3.
• If you are going to write programs to transfer data between the
Counter and an external computer, read the section titled
“Overview of Response Message Formats” in Chapter 3.