Responses to queries

A query is defined for each setting command, unless explicitly specified otherwise. It is formed by adding a question mark to the associated setting command.

The following rules apply to the responses:

  • The requested parameter is transmitted without a header.

    Example: HCOP:PAGE:ORI?

    Response: LAND

  • Maximum values, minimum values and all other quantities that are requested via a special text parameter are returned as numeric values.

    Example: SENSe:FREQuency:STOP? MAX

    Response: 3.5E9

  • Numeric values are returned without a unit. Physical quantities refer to the basic unit or to the unit defined by the Unit command. The response 3.5E9 in the previous example stands for 3.5 GHz.

    If you add a unit to the query, this unit is used for the response.

    Example: SENSe:FREQuency:STOP? GHz

    Response: 3.5 for 3.5 GHz

  • Truth values (Boolean values) are returned as 0 (for OFF) and 1 (for ON).

    Example:

    Setting command: HCOPy:DEV:COL ON

    Query: HCOPy:DEV:COL?

    Response: 1

  • Text (character data) is returned in the short form.

    Example:

    Setting command: HCOPy:PAGE:ORIentation LANDscape

    Query: HCOP:PAGE:ORI?

    Response: LAND

  • Invalid numerical results

    Sometimes, particularly when a result consists of multiple numeric values, invalid values are returned as 9.91E37 (not a number).