Abstract: A method for programming a computer system having a display console for displaying inages to control at least one of a virtual instrument and an instrument by the steps of displaying on the screen at least one first function-icon that references at least one first control module for controlling at least one first function; displaying on the screen at least one iteration-icon that references iteration control module for controlling multiple iterations of data flow displaying on the screen at least one first input variable-icon that references at least one first input variable; displaying on the screen at least one first output variable-icon that references at least one first output variable; assembling on the screen a panel and assembling on the screen a first acyclic data flow diagram including the at least one first function-icon and the at least one iteration-icon and the at least one first input variable-icon and the at least one first output variable-ion, such that the diagram displays a first procedure f