Integrated Circuits

A DIP-14

Integrated circuits come in different packages. The package refers to the type of exterior casing that the connects the actual integrated circuit chip to its input and output pins. A common type of package is the Dual-In-Line Package, or DIP. This package contains a rectangular box with two rows of pins coming out of the long edge. The number the succeeds "DIP" denotes the number of pins in package. The package often has an indentation or dot at one end to help identify the pins.

A DIP socket

Since integrated circuits are sensitive to heat, a socket is often first soldered to the board, and the IC package then plugged into the sockets. Sockets are also useful if the chip might need to be swapped.