On Sun, 25 Aug 2013, Ed Vance wrote to TOM WALKER:

 EV> Is PATA the same as IDE?   I think it is, am I right?

no, not really... but yes, in a way...

AT    : Advanced Technology (IBM PCAT)
IDE   : Integrated Device Electronics
ATA   : AT Attach (derived from Western Digital's IDE)
ATAPI : AT Attach Packet Interface
PATA  : Parallel ATA (name for ATA since SATA introduction in 2003)
SATA  : Serial ATA

IDE, ATA, ATAPI are all pretty much synonymous... IDE came about when the
HD controller card was removed from the slot and placed on the HD... the
card used in the slots was then just an interface card... since then, there
is no interface card in a slot as they are now built directly onto the
motherboards and the cables connected to them there...

)\/(ark