Book excerpt: For devices courses found in electronics technology and electronics engineering technology departments. Written in an engaging, personable style, this guide to solid-state electronic devices explores the latest in semiconductor theory and applications, showing how semiconductors fit within circuits, how circuits and logic gates make decisions, and how to properly adapt solid-state devices into a circuit design. Designed with the non-technical student in mind, it requires minimal mathematical knowledge, and goes out of its way to explain new ideas and concepts step-by-step, in a clear, succinct, and easily understandable manner.