/ˈbuːliən/
adjective … “Relating to true/false logic.”
Boolean refers to a data type, algebra, or logic system based on two possible values: true and false. Boolean concepts underpin digital electronics, logic gates, computer programming, and decision-making systems. Named after mathematician George Boole, Boolean logic allows complex conditions to be expressed using operators like AND, OR, and NOT.
Key characteristics of Boolean include:
- Binary values: only true or false.
- Operators: AND, OR, NOT, XOR, NAND, NOR, etc.
- Expression evaluation: determines outcomes in conditional statements and circuits.
- Digital foundation: essential for logic circuits, CPUs, and software control flow.
- Algebraic structure: forms Boolean algebra for simplifying logical expressions.
Applications of Boolean include programming conditionals, database queries, digital circuit design, search algorithms, and control systems.
Workflow example: Evaluating a Boolean expression:
a = True
b = False
result = a and not b
print(result) -- True
Here, the Boolean expression combines AND and NOT operators to yield a logical outcome.
Conceptually, Boolean is like a simple switch: either ON (true) or OFF (false), forming the building blocks for complex logical structures.
See Logic Gates, Transistor, Digital, Control Logic, ALU.