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Date: Wed, 5 Nov 2014 14:16:54 -0500
Message-Id: <201411051916.sA5JGsAf010787@envy.delorie.com>
From: DJ Delorie <dj AT delorie DOT com>
To: geda-user AT delorie DOT com
In-reply-to:
	<CAOFvGD6n2K62SJS9yGyTv_2BnEWER6e4sxcNPXk8-orGyUYMQQ AT mail DOT gmail DOT com>
	(message from Jason White on Wed, 5 Nov 2014 14:02:31 -0500)
Subject: Re: [geda-user] PCB file format, Difference between pin name and pin number?
References: <CAOFvGD6n2K62SJS9yGyTv_2BnEWER6e4sxcNPXk8-orGyUYMQQ AT mail DOT gmail DOT com>
Reply-To: geda-user AT delorie DOT com


> I've been reading the format specifications and have been unable to
> find out, for the PCB file format, what is the functional difference
> between pin name and pin number?

Pin number is typically the physical numbering of the package, like
pins 1-14 of a DIP or A1 through K14 for a BGA.  This numbering is
fixed for a given footprint (typically by international standard) and
is the basis for matching physical pins in the footprint to symbolic
pins in the symbol.

Pin names are symbolic tags added to pins that are simply copied from
the symbol, such as "BUS_WR" or "TxD4".  They exist to help the
developer understand the purpose of the pins and are typically
specific to the schematic from which the layout was derived.