A constant-voltage circuit includes a switching regulator and a series
regulator each configured to start operating according to a selection
signal input from outside the integrated circuit for exclusively causing
one of the switching or the series regulators to operate, convert an
input voltage to a rated voltage and to output the voltage to an output
terminal. The switching regulator performs a soft-start operation for
raising an output voltage to the rated voltage at a constant speed when
starting operation. The series regulator regulates a current so that an
output current does not exceed a predetermined value, simultaneously
starts operating when the switching regulator starts operating, and
automatically stops outputting a current to the output terminal when the
soft-start operation is completed. A semiconductor apparatus provided
with a predetermined function includes the constant-voltage circuit. A
control method controls the constant-voltage circuit.