Keywords, Braces and vertical bars, Brackets – Agilent Technologies L4400 User Manual
Page 65: Optional parameters, Syntax conventions

Operating and Programming
3
L4400 User’s Guide
53
ROUTe is the root keyword of the command, MONitor is a second- level
keywords, CHANnel is a third- level keyword, and so on. A colon ( : )
separates a command keyword from a lower- level keyword.
Syntax Conventions
The SCPI syntax convention can be defined using the command shown
below:
ROUTe:CHANnel:DRIVe:PULSe:WIDTh {
(@
Keywords
The command syntax shows that most commands (and some parameters)
are a mixture of upper- and lower- case letters. The upper- case letters
indicate the abbreviated spelling for the command. For shorter program
lines, you can send the abbreviated form. For better program readability,
you can send the long form.
For example, in the above syntax statement DRIV and DRIVE are both
acceptable forms. You can also use a combination of upper- and
lower- case letters. When sending a command, the abbreviated form or the
complete spelling of the command must be used. Any other combination
will generate a syntax error.
Braces and Vertical Bars
Braces ( { } ) enclose the parameter choices for a given command string.
The braces are not sent with the command string.
A vertical bar ( | ) separates multiple parameter choices for a given
command string.
Brackets
Triangle brackets ( < > ) indicate that you must specify a value for the
enclosed parameter. For example, the syntax statement shows the
sent with the command string. You must specify a value for the
parameter.
Optional Parameters
Some parameters are enclosed in square brackets ( [ ] ). This indicates
that the parameter is optional and can be omitted. The brackets are not
sent with the command string. If you do not specify a value for an
optional parameter, the instrument chooses a default value.