Abstract: A programmable controller interfaces a numerical control system to sensing and operating devices that control the auxiliary functions on a machine tool. In the controller a microprocessor is coupled to a random-access memory (RAM) and an electrically alterable read-only memory (EAROM) through an address bus and a data bus. The RAM stores a user control program and an I/O image table that depicts the status of the sensing and operating devices on the machine tool. Under program control the microprocessor verifies the contents of the RAM and copies the verified contents into the EAROM. If the contents of the RAM are altered or lost, the master copy of data stored in the EAROM is reloaded into the RAM.