1. A method for using direct memory access (DMA) to initialize a programmable logic device (PLD), the method comprising: manipulating a control line of the PLD to configure the PLD in a programming mode; receiving PLD programming data from a DMA control at a DMA speed; writing the PLD programming data to a data buffer; reading the PLD programming data from the data buffer; and transmitting the PLD programming data to a programming port on the PLD at a PLD programming speed.