Keithley 2182, User Manual, Page: 198 / 339

11-24 Remote Operation
Short-form rules
Use the following rules to determine the short-form version of any SCPI command:
• If the length of the command word is four letters or less, no short form version exists.
:auto = :auto
These rules apply to command words that exceed four letters:
• If the fourth letter of the command word is a vowel, delete it and all the letters after it.
immediate = :imm
• Rule exception – The short form version of the following command uses only the first
two letters of the word:
:TCouple = :tc
• If the fourth letter of the command word is a consonant, retain it but drop all the letters
after it.
:format = :form
• If the command contains a question mark (?) or a non-optional number included in the
command word, you must include it in the short-form version.
:delay? = :del?
• Command words or characters that are enclosed in brackets ([ ]) are optional and need
not be included in the program message.
Program messages
A program message is made up of one or more command words sent by the computer to the
instrument. Each common command is simply a three letter acronym preceded by an asterisk
(*). SCPI commands are categorized in the :STATus subsystem and are used to help explain how
command words are structured to formulate program messages.
Command structure
:STATus
Path (Root)
:OPERation Path
:ENABle <NRf> Command and parameter
:ENABle? Query command
:PRESet Command