Selective loading of configuration data into configuration memory cells

A method of controlling a programmable logic device, the method comprising:

• pre-programming a first bit and a second bit of a non-volatile memory with a first logic state, wherein the non-volatile memory is adapted to store the first bit, the second bit, and a plurality of configuration data;
• erasing the non-volatile memory, wherein the first bit and the second bit each exhibit a second logic state following the erasing;
• loading the configuration data into the non-volatile memory;
• programming the first bit with the first logic state to identify that the loading is completed;
• and
• selectively programming a second bit with the first logic state to identify whether a user desires that the configuration data be loaded into a plurality of configuration memory cells.

A programmable logic device comprising:

• a non-volatile memory adapted to store a first bit, a second bit, and a plurality of configuration data;
• a plurality of configuration memory cells;
• and
• control logic adapted to determine based on values of the first and second bits whether to load the configuration data from the non-volatile memory into the configuration memory cells, wherein the second bit is adapted to be programmed to prevent a loading of the configuration data from the non-volatile memory into the configuration memory cells.