An apparatus, computer program, and method are disclosed for generating
computer executable code. The code is compiled from a data set, and the
data set is compiled by selecting a link within a comments portion of a
text editor portion of a program. The data set can then be inserted into
an applications program to form the computer executable code. The
comments portion involves a line of text that is preceded by a comments
designator and succeeded by at least one link word that is adapted for
modification by an on-screen pointer. Any changes to the link word via a
graphical user interface will correspondingly change fields within a data
set, which preferably is also displayed within the same window as the
comments portion. The fields of bits within the data set can be used to
program a hardware device or system. One example of such a device is a
programmable device, or general purpose interface circuit that is
juxtaposed between, for example, a computer and a peripheral device.