Programming method and programming unit for programmable controller in which only common names for application instructions need be designated by the programmer

A method of creating a control program for a programmable controller for controlling a controlled device, comprising the steps of:

• (a) entering into a main memory, by use of an input device, a sequence program making up a sequence of operations to be incorporated into said control program, items which are entered to make up said sequence program including:
• (1) basic program instructions which are directly executable by a processing unit;
• (2) common operation designation names of application instructions, said application instructions each being the title of a respective subroutine composed of certain ones of said basic program instructions, said subroutines being previously stored in an auxiliary memory;
• and
• (3) data to be acted on by said basic program instructions and said application instructions;
• (b) retrieving said subroutines from said auxiliary memory by:
• (1) examining which common operation designation names of application instructions have been entered in said step (a) and
• (2) retrieving the subroutines which correspond to the entered common operation designation names;
• and
• (c) storing said retrieved subroutines into said main memory at a higher memory location as compared to the sequence program entered at step (a), wherein said retrieved subroutines are stored in consecutive ascending addresses in order of retrieval from said auxiliary memory;
• further comprising a step (b)(3) of displaying a status of whether said step (b) has been partially or fully completed.