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NAND function

logic
Also known as: Sheffer stroke function

Quick Summary

The NAND function, short for "NOT-AND," is a fundamental concept in logic design. It's a type of logic gate used in digital computers.

A NAND gate produces an output that is the inverse of an AND circuit. In simpler terms, it outputs a '1' (or 'on') unless both of its inputs are '1'. If both inputs are '1', the output is '0' (or 'off'). This behavior is derived from the Boolean algebra operations of NOT and AND. By connecting various logic gates, including NAND gates, complex arithmetic functions can be performed by digital devices. The term "NAND" itself is a portmanteau of "not" and "AND," first used in 1958.12

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