Can I replace GPIB/RS232 with USB in my automation program? What are the differences?

Can I replace GPIB/RS232 with USB in my automation program? What are the differences?

In most cases, communicating with a USB oscilloscope is just as easy as communicating through GPIB or RS-232.

If you have created a program using VISA communication, then the physical layer is abstracted from the software layer, so you will not have to change your code because of the change in the physical layer. The only difference will be the handle that you will use to address the instrument:

If you created a program addressing the raw port, then you will have to change your program to use VISA to address USB, because USB only communicates through VISA.

Changing or upgrading instruments may include more than changes to the physical layer. Make sure that the commands you were using in your old program are the same with the new instrument by consulting the programmer’s manual for the new instrument. Some new product features will require a change in the commands that are sent to the oscilloscope.