disclosed is an automated method for generating program modules used for controlling field devices by means of a machine - readable parametered description of the field devices . the inventive method is used with a control unit controlling the field devices . each of said field devices comprises control devices with at least one microprocessor , at least once electronic storing means , and data input and output means for communicating with the control unit . the novel method consists of the following steps : the parameters of the field device contained in the description are detected ; the control - relevant characteristics of the respective parameters , which are defined in the description , i . e . particularly the type of data , size , allowed variables or allowed range of variables , are detected ; program modules are generated for the control device of the field device , which can be executed by the microprocessor of the field device and are least in part based on the detected parameters and / or the detected control - relevant characteristics of the parameters .