What Is Boolean Logic?
Boolean logic, also known as Boolean algebra, is a system of logic that deals with true or false values. Developed by George Boole in the 19th century, it forms the mathematical foundation of all modern digital computers. Instead of dealing with numbers, it operates on variables that can only have one of two possible values: true (represented as 1) or false (represented as 0).
Section 2: Key Operators
Boolean logic uses three fundamental operators to perform operations. The AND operator returns true only if both input values are true. The OR operator returns true if at least one of the input values is true. The NOT operator reverses the value of its input, changing true to false and false to true.
Section 3: A Practical Example
Consider a simple search engine query: 'cats AND dogs'. Using Boolean logic, the search engine will only show results that contain both the word 'cats' and the word 'dogs'. If the query was 'cats OR dogs', it would return pages containing either word. This demonstrates how Boolean operators are used to refine and control logical outcomes.
Section 4: Importance in Computing
Boolean logic is crucial in computer science and electronics. The circuits in a computer's processor are made of millions of tiny switches called transistors, which are organized into logic gates that perform Boolean operations. Every decision a computer makes, from running software to displaying images, is broken down into a series of these simple true/false calculations.