AFG1000 Series Arbitrary Function Generator Programmer Manual
3
Syntax and Commands
Command Syntax
Control the operations and functions of the instrument through the USB
interface using commands and queries. The related topics listed below describe
the syntax of these commands and queries. The topics also describe the
conventions that the instrument uses to process them. See
(See page 10.) for a listing of the commands by command group, or use the
index to locate a specific command.
Backus-Naur Form Definition
This manual describes commands and queries using the Backus-Naur Form
(BNF) notation. The following table defines the standard BNF symbols.
Table 1: BNF symbols and meanings
Symbol
Meaning
< >
Defined element
:=
Is defined as
|
Exclusive OR
{ }
Group; one element is required
[ ]
Optional; can be omitted
. . .
Previous element(s) may be repeated
( )
Comment
Command and Query Structure
Overview
Commands consist of set commands and query commands (usually simply called
commands and queries). Commands change instrument settings or perform a
specific action. Queries cause the instrument to return data and information about
its status.
Most commands have both a set form and a query form. The query form of the
command is the same as the set form except that it ends with a question mark.
For example, the set command
MMEMory:CDIRectory
has a query form
MMEMory:CDIRectory?
. Not all commands have both a set and a query form;
some commands are set only and some are query only.
Messages
A command message is a command or query name, followed by any
information the instrument needs to execute the command or query. Command
messages consist of five element types.
