Selection of operations in a desired order and, as necessary, input of processing parameters by the user are received. Based on each operation corresponding to the received input, operation information (T), which classifies the operation corresponding to the input into a non-routine operation, which requires input of a processing parameter during execution of an automated operation list (L), or a routine operation other than the non-routine operation in advance, is obtained. Then, an automated operation list (L) is generated based on the obtained operation information (T) by registering, if the operation corresponding to the input is a routine operation, the operation corresponding to the input in the automated operation list (L) with associating, as necessary, a necessary processing parameter for the operation with the operation, and registering, if the operation corresponding to the input is a non-routine operation, the operation corresponding to the input in the automated operation list (L). In this manner, troublesome input operations for generating the automated operation list are reduced, thereby facilitating generation of the automated operation list (L) .
