a) defining a predetermined pin list which is set to include all pins during pattern loads;

b) modifying said predetermined pin list using a predetermined debugger command in order to include desired pins for characterization using an appropriate computer program;

c) having said appropriate computer program query a user regarding a plurality of items;

d) reading one of said pins from said predetermined pin list;

e) using pin measurement units to force incrementally increasing voltage from zero volts until a predefined maximum current limit is reached;

f) flagging any problem pins identified in step (e) and storing values at each increment to data files;

g) using pin measurement units to force incrementally decreasing voltage from zero to a predefined minimum current limit is reached;

h) flagging any problem pins identified in step (g) and storing values at each increment to data files; and

i) if all of said pins in said predetermined pin list have not been evaluated, returning to step (d).