Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs) are components used to build reconfigurable digital circuits that can be modified to different applications or functionalities after manufacturing. They contain multiple logic elements like flip flops or AND gates that can be configured by the user as needed.
Compared to fixed logic devices, PLDs allow for more flexibility and simplify complex logic while also offering superior performance in certain cases. In order to program a PLD, the right software and language are required to accurately communicate with the technology.
One type of PLD is known as a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). These components contain an array of configurable logic blocks and a hierarchy of reconfigurable interconnects. Logic blocks act as simple logic gates like AND or XOR, but can also be configured to perform more complex logic like Boolean algebra, making them extremely flexible in a variety of applications.