A method and structure are provided that reduce the overall time of the read-erase-modify-write
cycle time of non-volatile memories. Specifically, the erase operation of the read-erase-write
cycle is avoided in certain circumstances. In one embodiment, the erase operation
is skipped where a predetermined pattern is found in at least a portion the block.
In another embodiment, the erase operation is skipped where a status of the block
indicates that the erase operation can be skipped.
