flip-flop
A digital logic circuit that can be in one of two
states which it switches (or "{toggles}") between under
control of its inputs. It can thus be considered as a one bit
memory. Three types of flip-flop are common: the {SR
flip-flop}, the {JK flip-flop} and the {D-type flip-flop} (or
{latch}).
Early literature refers to the "Eccles-Jordan circuit" and the
"Eccles-Jordan binary counter", using two {vacuum tubes} as
the active (amplifying) elements for each {bit} of information
storage. Later implementations using {bipolar transistors}
could operate at up to 20 million state transitions per second
as early as 1963.
(1995-11-11)