Apparatus and method for automatic source code generation in a process control environment

A method for creating a source code portion for insertion into a program source code, said method comprising the steps of:

• receiving data into a database, said database coupled to at least one external data source, said database capable of receiving external data source input data, said input data comprising program variables and data types of said external data source;
• activating an interactive help application coupled to said database to cause said interactive help application to utilize the external data source input data to form program source code variables;
• and
• utilizing a source code generator coupled to said database and to said interactive help application to cause said source code generator to automatically generate a final version of the source code portion and to insert said final version of said source code portion into said program source code.

A process control system, comprising:

• at least one process controller for controlling an external data source, said process controller coupled to a source program in said process control system and comprising:
• an apparatus for creating a source code portion for insertion into a program source code, said apparatus comprising:
• a database coupled to at least one external data source, said database capable of receiving external data source input data, said input data comprising program variables and data types;
• an interactive help application coupled to said database, said interactive help application capable of utilizing the external data source input data to form program source code variables;
• and
• a source code generator coupled to said database and to said interactive help application, said source code generator capable of automatically generating a final version said source code portion and capable of inserting said final version of said source code portion into said program source code.