Safe testing using a DMM

[NivagSwerdna]

Ok... So a very basic question...

I have a digital multimeter (let's say it is a AN8008 since that is the nearest)... I have an old IC that I suspect has two pins internally wired together.  The IC can be removed and placed on the bench.  The IC is pretty much irreplaceable due to its age and rarity so I want to be careful.

Would I use continuity mode? Or Diode mode to test? If I got the wires in the wrong polarity (I have no idea of the real definition of which pin is which) which .mode would I use?

I assume both modes will require some current to flow since otherwise they couldn't measure anything.

A simple explanation of DMM modes would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[Kleinstein]

Diode and continuity mode are pretty similar. With one of may meters it is actually just one mode - get the beep if the diode measures less than some 50 mV or so.
Usually the test current is on the order of 1 mA. It can be a fixed current or just a resistor to the supply. The details depend on the meter.
The diode mode displays the voltage (usually mV) with the given testcurrent.
The continuity mode beeps below a certain voltage - what is shown could be the voltage as well, or the resistance or some arbitrary scale. This could be the same, as 1 mV is what one gets from 1 ohm and 1 mA.

Many chips are OK with 1 mA in either direction. There may be a few exceptions, but not many. The larger danger is likely from ESD.

[TomKatt]

Many chips are OK with 1 mA in either direction. There may be a few exceptions, but not many. The larger danger is likely from ESD.

Yeah...  I'd definitely be using all my ESD gear working on any unobtanium parts.  It seems like older parts are more sensitive to newer ones in that regard.