1. A method for controlling an electric machine or electric unit, comprising the steps of: actuating a component of the electric machine or electric unit using a predicate in which a functional relationship is defined between a subject and the component, the predicate including an expected numerical value of a numerical quantity of the component; automatically examining the component to determine a performance of the predicate; and checking during examination of the component to determine whether the expected numerical value is within an estimated range when the predicate is performed, the estimated range being based on the expected numerical value and being stored as run-time information relating to the component; wherein the component includes a self-description including run-time information which is used as a reference for the numerical quantity during the examination; and wherein a control signal for the electric machine or electric unit is obtained from a difference between the reference for the numerical quantity and the expected numerical value.