AMETEK Lx Series II Programming Manual - Manual (Page 21)

Programming Manual Lx \ Ls Series II
17
combine two or more message units into a compound message, you may need to enter the
optional header.
2.5.4 Query Indicator
Following a header with a question mark turns it into a query (VOLTage?,
VOLTage:PROTection?). If a query contains a parameter, place the query indicator at the end of
the last header (VOLTage:PROTection? MAX).
2.5.5 Message Unit Separator
When two or more message units are combined into a compound message, separate the units
with a semicolon (STATus:OPERation?;QUEStionable?).
2.5.6 Root Specifier
When it precedes the first header of a message unit, the colon becomes the root specifier. It tells
the command parser that this is the root or the top node of the command tree. Note the difference
between root specifiers and header separators in the following examples:
OUTPut:PROTection:DELay .1 All colons are header separators
:OUTPut:PROTection:DELay .1 Only the first colon is a root specifier
OUTPut:PROTection:DELay .1;:VOLTage 12.5 Only the third colon is a root specifier
Note: You do not have to precede root-level commands with a colon; there is an implied colon in
front of every root-level command.
2.5.7 Message Terminator
A terminator informs SCPI that it has reached the end of a message. Three permitted messages
terminators are:
newline (), which is ASCII decimal 10 or hex 0A.
end or identify ()
both of the above ().
In the examples of this manual, there is an assumed message terminator at the end of each
message. If the terminator needs to be shown, it is indicated as regardless of the actual
terminator character.