A method and system is disclosed for generating a desired input/output
(I/O) cell based on a basic cell from a library. After identifying a
configuration requirement for a desired I/O cell to be used for an
integrated circuit design, at least one basic cell is selected, the basic
cell having a base component for generating the desired I/O cell to meet
the configuration requirement. A connection template is generated having
one or more programmable connection points identified thereon, the
programmable connection points identifying locations for making
connections to one or more feature components of the basic cell. The
selected basic cell and the connection template are combined to generate
a design file, wherein the design file corresponds to the desired I/O
cell with the predetermined feature components of the basic cell
integrated with the basic component to satisfy the configuration
requirement. The disclosed method reduces the design cycle-time as well
as circuit-library maintenance and update effort.