1. A method of converting a columnar programmable logic device (PLD) design to a columnar application specific integrated circuit-like (ASIC-like) design, the method comprising: obtaining a user design having been instantiated in a PLD having a columnar architecture associated with the columnar PLD design; the columnar architecture having a first column, a second column, and a third column of columns of circuitry which are adjacent to one another; the first column essentially consisting of input/output circuits being located adjacent to and between the second column and the third column of the columns of circuitry; and the second column and the third column not essentially consisting of the input/output circuits; wherein the input/output circuits are implemented without change as between the columnar PLD design and the ASIC-like design; identifying which of the columns of circuitry are associated with instantiation of the user design in the PLD; and swapping at least a portion of one or more columns of the columnar architecture with application specific circuitry for implementing an associated portion of the user design, the swapping for converting the columnar PLD design to the columnar ASIC-like design.