1. A method for performing a first programming operation on a non-volatile memory device to store initial data, the memory device being of the type that is normally programmed by first executing a pre-programming erasure algorithm and then executing a programming algorithm to store data, said method comprising the steps of: manufacturing the memory device such that all memory cells of the memory device are in one state; and performing the first programming operation to store the initial data in the memory cells by executing only the programming algorithm, wherein the step of performing the first programming operation includes the sub-step of receiving the initial data from an external source.