What is the buffer?

[Chieth Kieth]

Going through the different inks and I can't figure out what the buffer actually does. When I wire it with two inputs it seems to just be an OR gate. So what's the purpose? Is it not meant to be used like that, is there something else I'm supposed to do with it?

[Mause]

Hi Chieth! Since components in VCB support multiple inputs the Buffer essentially behaves the same as the OR gate, following this principle we can observe that the NOT and NOR gates are analogues as well. I decided to include all the basic logic gates in the game despite the redundancy in their behavior for readability reasons, so you can use the component that best describes your design intent.

The redundancy in these components also introduces the advantage of allowing you to build more compact circuits since you can have two "OR gates" (a Buffer and an OR) side by side without them merging into a single gate.

[zhang_yong4]

Originally posted by Mause:

Hi Chieth! Since components in VCB support multiple inputs the Buffer essentially behaves the same as the OR gate, following this principle we can observe that the NOT and NOR gates are analogues as well. I decided to include all the basic logic gates in the game despite the redundancy in their behavior for readability reasons, so you can use the component that best describes your design intent.

The redundancy in these components also introduces the advantage of allowing you to build more compact circuits since you can have two "OR gates" (a Buffer and an OR) side by side without them merging into a single gate.

does this help with programming?

[erutan2099]

In real life, a buffer is simply that, if buffers and strengthens a signal that might be weak, whether it be a wireless signal that needs to be repeated, or some noisy line that needs to be cleaned up.
In digital logic, I like to think of a buffer as a NOT-NOT gate. It's useful for ensuring the signal goes in the intended direction, and to some extent in this game, I sometimes use it as a form of digital diode.