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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 H3UleuTGyG3/fcxAbmHf7F4BqUg+kiYU9tp/7KUz+CC+1u3T58fjDnZAJO8PMLkN
 POsHtY+Ii3PfAjlO2NJc7g==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001224995-04-000028.txt : 20040429
<SEC-HEADER>0001224995-04-000028.hdr.sgml : 20040429
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040429174429
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001224995-04-000028
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20020618
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040429

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			APPLETON STEVEN R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001202354

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-06453
		FILM NUMBER:		04766574

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8000 S. FEDERAL WAY
		CITY:			BOISE
		STATE:			ID
		ZIP:			83707-0006

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000070530
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SEMICONDUCTORS & RELATED DEVICES [3674]
		IRS NUMBER:				952095071
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0531

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2900 SEMICONDUCTOR DR
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 58090
		CITY:			SANTA CLARA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95052-8090
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4087215000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2900 SEMICONDUCTOR DR
		CITY:			SANTA CLARA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95052-8090
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgardoc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2002-06-18</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000070530</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NSM</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001202354</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>APPLETON STEVEN R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>STOCK ADMINISTRATION, MAIL STOP C-1640</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>2900 SEMICONDUCTOR DR.</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SANTA CLARA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>95051</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2002-06-18</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>700</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>32.98</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2598</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Emily Cervino, Attorney-in-Fact  For: Steven R Appleton</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-04-29</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----