Bridgeport had a very good programming manual. They can be purchased on CDROM from machinemanuals.net.
Typically, when installing on of these, a couple of hours of instruction in operation and basic programming was given. A week later, the customer was quite proficient with the machine. It helps to be a machinist. To know HOW to approach a job.
The control is very intuitive and powerful with the ability to do repeats, scaling, rotation, cutter comp, mill pocket (circular or rectangular), mill arc, arc of holes, etc.
You never have to put the vise at an angle any more.
If it is a 3 axis machine it will do large 3d type programs with DNC.
George
(Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)