Patent US 6,408,432

An apparatus and method for in-system programming of programmable devices includes a device configuration program with adaptive programming source code instructions that characterize device configuration instructions and data. The adaptive source code instructions may include conditional branches, subroutines, variables, configurable arrays, integer operators, and Boolean operators. These features allow for more compact and efficient device configuration instructions and data. An interpreter converts the device configuration program into formatted device configuration instructions and data. The formatted device configuration instructions and data are preferably compatible with IEEE 1149.1 JTAG-BST specifications. The formatted device configuration instructions and data are used to program a programmable device in the manner specified by the adaptive programming source code instructions.