A table-based computer user interface and a method of providing design parameters are provided for configuring circuits for programmable ICs. A design database describing a circuit is displayed in table-based format on a computer screen display. The design database may include a memory map including data to be placed in bit-storage space in the target programmable IC. This design database requires no schematics or HDL description of the circuit, even for application-specific circuits and other complicated circuits. The desired parameters are entered by the user, typically using toggle buttons, pull-down menus, or keyboard entry. The selected parameters and memory map data are then entered into the design database, thereby configuring the design database in accordance with the selected parameters. In one embodiment, the user interface can also be used to display read data from a previously programmed programmable IC.