What is the main difference between analog and digital signals?

The main difference between analog and digital signals lies in their nature of representation. Analog signals are continuous in nature, which means they can take on any value within a range. This property allows them to represent variations in physical phenomena, such as sound, light intensity, or temperature, in a fluid and continuous manner. For instance, the voltage of an analog signal can change smoothly, reflecting real-world changes in the environment.

On the other hand, digital signals are discrete, meaning they represent information in binary form as a series of distinct values—typically 0s and 1s. Each of these discrete levels corresponds to specific values, which leads to more precise and noise-resistant data transmission. Because of this discrete nature, digital signals can encapsulate data into error-free packets, making them more suitable for modern computing and communication systems.

Understanding this primary distinction is fundamental, as it impacts various aspects of signal processing, such as sampling, bandwidth, and fidelity, in both analog and digital systems.