NOT logic gate

A NOT logic gate (or negation gate) is a fundamental logic element that performs logical inversion of a given Boolean value. A NOT gate outputs the opposite of the inputted Boolean or binary value. In other words, a logic gate with an input of 0 will have an output of 1, and vice-versa.

The standard symbols used to represent a NOT gate inside of a circuit diagram are an oval with a line across, a triangle labeled “NOT”, or a circle with an X or slash through it. A NOT gate can also be implemented using a NOR gate; both have identical functions and output values.

NOT gates are used to invert a given logic level or a signal. For instance, when pressing a switch, a NOT gate will invert a 1 (“on”) into a 0 (“off”), or the opposite, 0 into 1. They are also used to perform a universal logic function, as two NAND or NOR gates connected via a NOT gate can create any other logic gate.

NOT gates are essential parts of many electronic devices, such as computers, calculators, and synthesizers. They are also commonly used in computer programming languages, like BASIC and C, to create conditions and logical operations within a program. Finally, NOT gates are used in many cybersecurity algorithms, as inversion of a signal or data can help to evaluate safety and security measures.