The SCPI Standard

The Standard Commands for Programmable Instrumentation (SCPI) Standard provides a common interface language between computers and test instruments. The SCPI Standard is built on the foundation of IEEE-488.2, Standard Codes and Formats. It requires conformance to IEEE-488.2, but is pure software standard. SCPI syntax is ASCII text, and therefore can be attached to any computer test language, such as Python, C, or C#. It can also be used with Test Application Environments such as LabWindows/CVI, LabVIEW, MATLAB, Microsoft Visual Studio, or Agilent VEE. SCPI is hardware-independent. SCPI strings can be sent over any instrument interface. It works equally well over GPIB, RS-232, VXIbus or LAN networks.

Integration into the IVI Foundation

The SCPI Consortium merged with the IVI Foundation in late 2003. IVI is responsible for all ongoing work on the SCPI standard.

The IVI Foundation HiSLIP standard provides for the delivery of SCPI messages to devices over the network, and includes the meta-messages used for instrument control over GPIB.

To view/download SCPI, go to the Specifications page.