In terms of classification, integrated circuits can be roughly divided into two categories: analog integrated circuits and digital integrated circuits. Analog ICs process continuous electrical signals, such as those found in sound waves and radio waves, while digital ICs process discrete electrical signals represented by binary digits, often called bits.
Digital integrated circuits are further divided into several subcategories based on their functionality and complexity. The most basic type of digital IC is a logic gate. Logic gates, such as AND, OR, and NOT gates, are the building blocks of digital circuits, performing the basic logic operations that form the basis of digital computing.