The XOR (exclusive OR) gate is a basic digital logic gate that outputs true or '1' only when the number of true inputs is odd. In other words, an XOR gate will output true if the inputs are different, either one is '1' and the other '0' or vice versa, hence it's also known as the 'inequality detector'.
The XOR gate can be visualized by a particular symbol in digital circuit diagrams, and its behavior is summarized in a truth table. For a two-input XOR gate, if both inputs are '0' or both are '1', the output is '0'. If the inputs are different, the output is '1'. This behavior can be expressed algebraically with Boolean expressions.
One of the most common uses of XOR gates is in digital adders, which are circuits used to perform binary addition. For instance, a half adder, which adds two binary digits, uses an XOR gate for the sum output. XOR gates are also used in many error detection and correction codes.
The XOR gate is one of the building blocks of digital electronics. Understanding its operation is essential for grasping more complex digital logic circuits and systems. Whether you're studying computer engineering, working on a digital electronics project, or simply curious about how digital systems work, knowing the XOR gate is fundamental.