Sorensen MML Series Operation and Programming Manual
5-4
5.5 Basic Programming Definitions
GPIB statements include instrument control and query commands. A command
statement sends an instruction to the electronic load, and a query command requests
information from the electronic load.
Simple Command
The simplest command statement consists of a command or keyword usually followed
by a parameter or data:
LOAD ON
or TRIG
Compound Command
When two or more keywords are connected by colons (:), it creates a compound
command statement. The last keyword usually is followed by a parameter or data:
CURRent: STATic: L1 3
or CONFigure: VOLTage: RANGe H
Query Command
A simple query command consists of a keyword followed by a question mark:
MEASure: VOLTage?
MEASure: CURRent?
or CHAN?
Forms of Keywords
Every keyword has two forms:
Long-Form.
The word is spelled out completely to identify its function.
For instance, CURRENT, VOLTAGE, and MEASURE are long-form keywords.
Short-Form.
The word contains only the first three or four letters of the long-form.
For instance, CURR, VOLT, and MEAS are short-form keywords.
In keyword definitions and diagrams, the short-form part of each keyword is emphasized
in UPPER-CASE letters to help you remember it. However, the electronic load will
accept Volt, volt, voltage, VOLTAGE, volTAGE, etc. without regard to which form you
apply. If the keyword is incomplete, for example, “VOL” or “curre”, it will not be
recognized.
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