This is a topic I’ve been struggling with and I need help understanding what different logic gates do and how to make truth tables for each.
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Not an explanation, but potentially helpful for independent learning:
I am not an EE, but basic classical (true/false) logic is the same regardless of discipline. If you are still struggling with logic gates, it may help to learn them in a different way. In mathematics, logic is often taught fully in the abstract, so if you think that intuitive language-based examples will help you understand better, then you might consider looking at a philosophical logic textbook. Philosophy students learn basic classical logic “sententially,” meaning that the logical statements are treated as though they roughly approximate English language sentences. Students begin with problem sets that ask them to “translate” sentences into logical propositions, and learn the fundamental operators that way. Worth noting is that logic is usually taught to mathematics and linguistics students using set theory. You will not learn set theory in an introductory philosophical logic textbook, so keep that in mind if it applies to your situation.
Classical Logic and its Rabbit Holes by Nelson Lande is an excellent and accessible book that will teach you sentential logic. Unlike many other logic textbooks, it is inexpensive and it focuses specifically on fluency in sentential logic for about the first half, before introducing first-order logic and the axioms via synthesis (however, do EEs use first-order logic?). You could also look up philosophical logic tutorials on YouTube.
As I mentioned, the book was written for philosophy undergraduates, so it does not use the same symbols or terminology as electrical engineering, but it is fundamentally the same. You may also think about taking a logic class in your university’s philosophy department. You may find that you enjoy philosophy too! Good luck with your studies!
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