What is the primary distinction between analog and digital signals?

The primary distinction between analog and digital signals is that analog signals are continuous and can take any value within a given range. This means that an analog signal can represent a spectrum of information using varying amplitudes or frequencies, allowing for a much smoother representation of data.

Analog signals, such as sound waves or electrical voltages, can fluctuate infinitely and do not have discrete steps. This continuous nature means they can capture nuances and subtleties of a signal, like the smooth variation of a sound wave.

In contrast, digital signals are characterized by their discrete nature; they represent information using binary values (0s and 1s) and have specific, fixed levels. While digital signals can approximate a wide range of values, they are not continuous and instead jump between these set levels, making them less effective for representing gradual changes compared to analog signals.

This distinction is crucial in understanding how different types of signals function in various applications, such as audio, video, and data transmission.