1. A method of programming a programmable logic controller, said programmable logic controller including a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs, said programmable logic controller directing a process through output signals at said outputs in response to input signals at said inputs, comprising the steps of: displaying to a user on a monitor a graphical data entry user interface for a plurality of sequential steps, said graphical data entry user interface representing respective inputs to be monitored by said programmable logic controller at each of said sequential steps and respective outputs to be initiated by said programmable logic controller at respective ones of said sequential steps; receiving, via said graphical data entry user interface, an identification of at least one input selected by said user to be monitored for at least one of said sequential steps and an identification of at least one output selected by said user to be initiated for said at least one of said sequential steps; converting said identification of said at least one input selected by said user into an input control data table, said input control data table including a plurality of input control data elements, each of said input control data elements corresponding to a respective one of said plurality of sequential steps, a respective one of said input control data elements representing said at least one input selected by said user; and converting said identification of said at least one output selected by said user into an output data table, said output data table including a plurality of output data elements, each of said output data elements corresponding to a respective one of said plurality of sequential steps, a respective one of said output data elements representing said at least one output selected by said user.