Booleanes

Booleanes, also known as booleans, are a data type used to represent truth values in logic, mathematics, and computer science. They have two possible values, typically interpreted as true and false. The concept derives from George Boole and is the foundation of Boolean algebra, a formal system for manipulating these values with logical operators.

In programming and digital logic, boolean values control flow and decision making. They are used in conditional statements, loops, and as flags that indicate states. Hardware implementations rely on binary signals that map to true and false, while software uses data types such as bool or boolean.

Common operators on boolean values include AND, OR, and NOT, which produce results according to truth tables. XOR, NAND, and NOR are also widely used. These operators enable the construction of complex logical expressions and the design or simplification of circuits through Boolean algebra.

Memory representation and storage of boolean values vary by language and platform. A boolean value occupies at least a single storage unit in most systems—often a byte—though some implementations optimize to use less memory internally. In practice, booleans model a two-valued logic, with occasional extensions in three-valued logics for particular applications.

See also: Boolean algebra, logic gates.