flipflop

Flip-flop, also written flipflop, is a term that can refer to two common meanings: a simple sandal worn in warm weather and a fundamental device in digital electronics used to store a single bit of information.

Footwear: Flip-flops are flat, open-toed sandals with a Y-shaped strap between the big toe and the second toe. They are commonly made of rubber or foam and are valued for being inexpensive and quick-drying, suitable for warm weather, beaches, and casual wear. They provide little support and can cause discomfort with extended use.

Electronics: In digital logic, a flip-flop is a bistable multivibrator that stores one bit of data. It has two stable states and changes state in response to clock and input signals. Flip-flops are built from cross-coupled gates, typically using NOR or NAND configurations, and serve as the basic building blocks of sequential circuits.

Types: Common variants include the SR (set–reset) flip-flop, the D (data) flip-flop, the JK flip-flop, and the T (toggle) flip-flop. Many flip-flops are edge-triggered, changing state only on a rising or falling clock edge, while others are level-sensitive.

Uses: Flip-flops are essential components in sequential logic, forming registers, counters, shift registers, and memory elements used in computers, microprocessors, and other digital systems. Their ability to hold a stable state until prompted to change makes them foundational to modern digital memory and timing circuits.