Abstract: An electrically programmable memory array having rows and columns of floating gate type memory cells employs alternate output lines and ground lines between the columns of cells, providing a virtual ground arrangement. A row is selected by one part of an address input, and a column selected by another part. An output line on one side of the selected column is activated, and a ground line on the other side. A differential sense amplifier is responsive to the voltage on the selected output line and a reference voltage. The number of transistors needed in the decoder for the row select function is greatly reduced by employing predecoders which perform a 1-of-4 select for each pair of address bits, then using one of these select outputs to activate N multiplexers, and all the others as inputs to a decoder with N outputs to the multiplexers.