This is something that I have wondered about. Often when using older
instruments with newer computers it is necessary to slow down the
writing of instrument specific commands (ie set freq, get number of
points). Writing two commands too closely in time causes the test
instrument to lock up or to generate errors. If the instrument meets
the GPIB spec, this really should not happen. It should stop
handshaking if it is not ready to receive data (such as commands). The
argument that I've heard that computers have gotten much faster should
not make sense since even a newer computer still writes through a GPIB
interface, and the test instrument should be able to react quickly
enough to meet the spec. I find it hard to believe that so many
instrument did not really meet the spec, but were built to respond as
quickly as computers at the time could issue data. Thanks for any
help in resolving this mystery. If I can understand what is going on,
perhaps I can stop peppering my programs with waits.
