Delayed data release after programming to reduce read errors in memory

A method, comprising:

• programming a page of data to one block;
• starting a first timer in response to completion of the programming;
• copying the page of data from the one block to another block;
• starting a second timer in response to completion of the copying;
• receiving a request to read the page after the starting of the first timer and when the first timer has not yet expired;
• and
• delaying reading of the page from the one block until the first timer has expired.

An apparatus, comprising:

• means for programming data in one block;
• a first timer which indicates whether a short term data retention period has elapsed for the one block since completion of the programming;
• means for copying the data from the one block to another block;
• a second timer which indicates whether a short term data retention period has elapsed for the another block since completion of the copying;
• and
• means for reading the data from the one block in response to a read command, wherein the reading of the data occurs from the one block when the first timer expires, when the read command is received before the first timer expires.