About This Manual
This manual details the NI-488.2 traditional and multi-device calls for the NI-488.2 software on Windows operating systems, including Windows 95, 98, NT 4.0, and 2000. Familiarity with Windows is assumed.
The NI-488.2 documentation suite includes a Getting Started card for installation, the NI-488.2 User Manual for Windows for features and functions, this NI-488.2 Function Reference Manual for Windows for the API, and the GPIB Hardware Guide for hardware installation and configuration.
Documentation can be accessed online via the NI-488.2 for Windows CD or at www.natinst.com/manuals/.
Using the NI-488.2 Online Help
The NI-488.2 for Windows Online Help provides answers to common questions, troubleshooting information, and descriptions of the NI-488.2 API. Access it by navigating through the Windows Start menu: Start»Programs»National Instruments NI-488.2»Explore GPIB, then expanding the directory and right-clicking on the GPIB interface.
Conventions Used in This Manual
The manual employs specific conventions for clarity:
- The » symbol indicates navigation through nested menu items and dialog box options.
- A note icon (!) highlights important information.
- Bold text identifies menus, parameters, dialog boxes, buttons, icons, windows, and LEDs.
- References to IEEE 488.1 and IEEE 488.2 refer to the respective ANSI/IEEE standards defining the GPIB.
- Italic text denotes emphasis, cross-references, or introductions to key concepts.
- Monospace font is used for literal text entry, code examples, paths, filenames, and programming elements.
Related Documentation
Additional resources for further information include:
- ANSI/IEEE Standard 488.1-1987, IEEE Standard Digital Interface for Programmable Instrumentation
- ANSI/IEEE Standard 488.2-1992, IEEE Standard Codes, Formats, Protocols, and Common Commands
- Microsoft Platform Software Development Kit (SDK)
NI-488.2 Traditional Calls
This chapter lists and describes the traditional calls of the NI-488.2 API, including their purpose, format, input/output parameters, and potential errors. For programming guidance, refer to the NI-488.2 for Windows Online Help.
Table 1-1 outlines the structure of function descriptions within this chapter.
List of Traditional Calls
The following tables alphabetically list the NI-488.2 traditional calls with a brief purpose statement for each.
Device-Level Calls
Table 1-2 lists device-level traditional calls and their purposes, such as:
- ibask: Returns information about software configuration parameters.
- ibclr: Clears a specific device.
- ibdev: Opens and initializes a device descriptor.
- ibrd: Reads data from a device into a user buffer.
- ibrda: Reads data asynchronously from a device into a user buffer.
- ibrdf: Reads data from a device into a file.
