Method for automatically generating user program code for a programmable logic controller for controlling a machine

A method for programming a programmable logic controller configured to control a machine having energy consumers and energy-saving properties, comprising:

• providing, at a first earlier time, a plurality of selectable program code parts for the programmable logic controller, at least one of the plurality of selectable program code parts being configured to activate at least one energy-saving function of the machine, at least one of the at least one energy-saving function being a break mode for operation of the machine with the at least one energy-saving function during only a portion of a predetermined break time, the portion of the predetermined break time being a part of the predetermined break time other than a predetermined time needed to restore a production mode of the machine from the energy-saving function and a total time period of the predetermined break time;
• automatically generating user program code, at a second later time, by combining at least two of the plurality of selectable program code parts that have been selected by a user;
• and
• programming the programmable logic controller with the user program code, the programmable logic controller being configured to execute the user program code to control the machine.