To generate a control command for performing machining while reducing useless machining as much as possible, in an automatic programming apparatus, a machining-process-data generating/editing unit generates machining shapes (second machining shapes) for each of machining processes from each of an externally-input plurality of machining shapes (first machining shapes), a tool/machining order/tool direction editing unit 4 receives an input of execution order of the machining processes, a machining-process adjusting unit deforms, concerning a plurality of machining shapes having a same tool direction among the second machining shapes, one machining shape among the plurality of machining shapes such that machining can be executed in the input execution order (step S1722), deletes, from another machining shape that overlaps the one machining shape because of the deformation of the one machining shape, a portion of the overlap (step S1724), and generates a third machining shape, and a control-command generating unit generates, based on the third machining shape and the input execution order, a control command for causing a machine tool to operate.