1. An integrated circuit device having a nonvolatile programmable memory, comprising: nonvolatile memory; memory control and programming logic coupled to the nonvolatile memory and adapted for writing data to the nonvolatile memory; at least one multifunction input connection coupled to the memory control and programming logic, wherein the at least one multifunction input is used to enable write protection of the data written to the nonvolatile memory; wherein the write protection comprises permanent write protection when a voltage on the at least one multifunction input is less than a first voltage value, and temporary write protection when the voltage on the at least one multifunction input is greater than a second voltage value, the second voltage value being greater than the first voltage value; and wherein the write protection cannot be enabled when the voltage on the at least one multifunction input is equal to or greater than the first voltage value and less than or equal to the second voltage value.