The meaning of these two terms depends on the programmable logic device (PLD) used. Lattice provides three kinds of technologies in the PLD products you purchase. The technologies are:
- EEPROM based: 4000 family of CPLD's
- SRAM based: ECP2, ECP3, ECP4 families
- Flash/SRAM based: XP, XP2, XO2 families
For the EEPROM based devices the two terms are interchangeable. For the other two technologies there is a distinction between the two terms. Programming refers to the process of erasing and reprogramming the non-volatile memory used to store the devices bitsteam. Configuration refers to the time period the PLD is retrieving the bitstream from the non-volatile memory. The data retrieved is loaded into the PLD's SRAM, which causes the PLD to take on function you have designed it to perform.