A method for controlling automation hardware configured to perform an automation function in an industrial environment, the method comprising: generating, by use of a processor, a function block framework for a hardware device configured to operate in the industrial environment, wherein the function block framework comprises function block framework source code and a function block framework description, wherein the hardware device comprises a logic engine and automation hardware configured to perform an automation function in the industrial environment, and the function block framework presents a standard interface to communicate with a function block core, transferring inputs to the function block core and returning outputs, the function block core being configured to get data through an input interface and to output data through an output interface, the input interface and the output interface being embodied in the function block framework, wherein the function block core is configured to be executed on the logic engine to control the hardware device, wherein the function block core is further configured to access table inputs from a data table and/or input constants via the input interface and wherein a selector is configured to select either data from the data table or one of the input constants based on an input binding path for input to the input interface; instantiating the function block framework and the function block core as an executable image for the hardware device; configuring the logic engine to execute the executable image using the function block framework description; and controlling the automation hardware of the hardware device by executing the executable image with the logic engine. generating, by use of a processor, a function block framework for a hardware device configured to operate in the industrial environment, wherein the function block framework comprises function block framework source code and a function block framework description, wherein the hardware device comprises a logic engine and automation hardware configured to perform an automation function in the industrial environment, and the function block framework presents a standard interface to communicate with a function block core, transferring inputs to the function block core and returning outputs, the function block core being configured to get data through an input interface and to output data through an output interface, the input interface and the output interface being embodied in the function block framework, wherein the function block core is configured to be executed on the logic engine to control the hardware device, wherein the function block core is further configured to access table inputs from a data table and/or input constants via the input interface and wherein a selector is configured to select either data from the data table or one of the input constants based on an input binding path for input to the input interface; instantiating the function block framework and the function block core as an executable image for the hardware device; configuring the logic engine to execute the executable image using the function block framework description; and controlling the automation hardware of the hardware device by executing the executable image with the logic engine.