1. A programming panel device for generating and correcting user programs, said device connected to a computer having a memory for controlling a machine control system, said device comprising: a processor; said processor storage means including means to store at least one function step in a user program; keyboard means for data entry into said processor; input/output means for said processor; display means under the control of said processor for displaying function steps of said user programs; bus means for connection of said input/output means to said computer and said machine control system; function selection means under the control of said processor for the selection of a function to be programmed comprising: means to transfer a table of function codes and associated parameter codes for at least one function step of a user program from said computer over said bus means to said storage means of said processor; said display means including means for displaying said function and parameter codes; said transferred and displayed parameter codes being dependent upon the function selected by said function selection means; parameter value input means under the control of said processor for inputting specific values for said parameters to be inserted into functions which have been selected, the inputting of a parameter value for all of the parameters in the function selected resulting in the completion of the programming of a selected function; means to transfer said completed function to said processor storage means to be stored as a user program step; means to transfer each of said completed user program steps to said memory of said computer over said bus means for storage in said computer and for subsequent execution by said computer for controlling said machine control system.