The present invention relates to a system and methodology to mitigate memory current requirements in an industrial controller and to facilitate efficient on-line editing, storage and retrieval of user programs and data. A segmented memory architecture is provided, wherein a first memory segment is loaded with programmed instructions and other data that is relatively static in nature. A second memory segment is provided for storage of dynamic information such as controller data table variables that change frequently and/or rapidly during program execution of the controller. An execution memory is concurrently loaded with the user program to facilitate high performance program execution and to enable on-line edits of the user program during operation of the controller.