Getting Started; How To Use This Guide - HP 53150A Series Programming Manual

NOTE
Chapter 1 Before You Start ...

Getting Started

Getting Started
Before attempting to program the Counter, take some time to familiarize
yourself with the content of this guide. The remainder of this chapter
contains the following information:
• An explanation of how you should use the programming guide
based on your experience programming instruments and your
testing requirements.
• A description of the guide contents.
• A statement of assumptions that are made in the guide.
• A list of related documentation.

How to Use This Guide

How you use this guide depends upon how much you already know about
programming instruments and how complex your measurement
requirements are. Let's start by establishing your programming
background and then discuss the type of measurements you want to
perform.
With two minor exceptions, the only difference between programming the
Counter using the HP-IB interface and the RS-232 serial interface is the
manner in which you connect the Counter to the computer. These
exceptions are:
1. The Counter sends a command prompt over the RS-232 interface (but
not the HP-IB) after receiving and executing each command.
2. When an error is detected (during the Self-Test or during operation),
the Counter automatically sends an error message (or messages) over
the RS-232 interface (error messages must be requested over the
HP-IB). For additional information on error messages, see Appendix B
of the HP 3150A/151A/152A Operating Guide.
Programming Guide 1-3