488.2 vs VISA

[opticyclic]

What is the difference between 488.2 (ibwrt, ibrd, etc.) and VISA?
I have always used the 488.2 commands because when I first needed to communicate over the GPIB that was the way I was shown.

I don't really know what VISA is.
Is either faster than the other?
Is one easier/clearer to program than the other?

What about .NET support?

[devchander]

These links should help you to get a start

http://zone.ni.com/devzone/conceptd.nsf/webmain/4D2FBF082ED2412A8625716B006C796B#4

http://www.ni.com/support/vxi/gpib-vxi/convert.htm

http://digital.ni.com/public.nsf/allkb/4043FBAE3E3CBD3386256D9600538319

http://digital.ni.com/public.nsf/websearch/B136F07040CD47AD86256DBE0070E439?OpenDocument

Regards,

Dev