A communication system for linking users to control instruments. A user may send a first creation command from a user interface and establish a communication channel linking the command interpreter and the control instrument independent of the interface bus standard or interface hardware driver type. The communication system also includes providing a common communication interface between the user and the control instrument in an array-based programming environment. Embodiments provide a concise and powerful communication system for communicating with control instruments independent of the various types of supported interface bus standards, communication protocols, and driver types.