Software → Digital Logic
Adder
A digital circuit that performs binary addition.
Motivation
Adders solve the problem of performing arithmetic with bits. Once a computer can add binary numbers, it can build more complex arithmetic operations on top.
Where it fits
Adders belong to digital logic and hardware building blocks. They are built from logic gates and are used inside ALUs.
Subconcepts
Half adder
Adds two bits and produces a sum and carry.
Full adder
Adds two bits plus an incoming carry, making multi-bit addition possible.
Mental model
A CPU does arithmetic by combining many small Boolean circuits that each handle tiny pieces of the calculation.