An apparatus for the generation of a program for a programmable logic controller having a plurality of inputs and outputs which includes the following: - a programming input unit having a display unit for the selection and compilation of a plurality of symbols, which at least includes symbols for (i) transmitter inputs via which input signals from transmitters are delivered to the programmable logic controller, (ii) actuator outputs via which output signals are delivered from the programmable logic controller to actuators, (iii) predefined program modules and (iv) signal connection paths and - a generation unit for the generation of a program code for the programmable logic controller from an arrangement of symbols compiled at the display unit of the programming input unit, characterized by - a determination unit for determining the possible influence, which results from the generated program code or from the arrangement of symbols compiled at the display unit of the programming input unit, of input signals which are delivered from the transmitter inputs (G1, G2, G3, G4, G5) to the programmable logic controller on output signals which are delivered by the programmable logic controller to the actuator outputs (A1, A2, A3), with the influence indicating which input signals into the programmable logic controller can have an influence on which output signals of the programmable logic controller in accordance with the program code or the arrangement of symbols compiled at the display unit, - an implementation unit for implementing the possible influence in a matrix and - a display unit for the display of the matrix. - a programming input unit having a display unit for the selection and compilation of a plurality of symbols, which at least includes symbols for (i) transmitter inputs via which input signals from transmitters are delivered to the programmable logic controller, (ii) actuator outputs via which output signals are delivered from the programmable logic controller to actuators, (iii) predefined program modules and (iv) signal connection paths and (i) transmitter inputs via which input signals from transmitters are delivered to the programmable logic controller, (ii) actuator outputs via which output signals are delivered from the programmable logic controller to actuators, (iii) predefined program modules and (iv) signal connection paths - a generation unit for the generation of a program code for the programmable logic controller from an arrangement of symbols compiled at the display unit of the programming input unit, characterized by - a determination unit for determining the possible influence, which results from the generated program code or from the arrangement of symbols compiled at the display unit of the programming input unit, of input signals which are delivered from the transmitter inputs (G1, G2, G3, G4, G5) to the programmable logic controller on output signals which are delivered by the programmable logic controller to the actuator outputs (A1, A2, A3), with the influence indicating which input signals into the programmable logic controller can have an influence on which output signals of the programmable logic controller in accordance with the program code or the arrangement of symbols compiled at the display unit, - an implementation unit for implementing the possible influence in a matrix and - a display unit for the display of the matrix.