NI-488.2 Software Reference Manual for MS-DOS
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Introduction

This chapter introduces you to the General Purpose Interface Bus (GPIB)
and this manual. The National Instruments family of GPIB products for
your personal computer will become a valued and integral part of your work environment.

Introduction to the GPIB

The GPIB is a link, or interface system, through which interconnected
electronic devices communicate.

History of the GPIB

The original GPIB was designed by Hewlett-Packard (where it is called the
HP-IB) to connect and control programmable instruments manufactured by
Hewlett-Packard. Because of its high data transfer rates of up to 1
megabyte/sec, the GPIB quickly gained popularity in other applications
such as intercomputer communication and peripheral control. It was later
accepted as the industry standard IEEE-488. The versatility of the system
prompted the name General Purpose Interface Bus.