# Characteristic Table **A tabular description of the behaviour of a [[latch]] or [[flip-flop]].** A **characteristic table** is a table which describes the behaviour of a [[latch]] or [[flip-flop]] in terms of its current state and inputs. They are typically derived from [[Characteristic Equation#Digital Electronics|characteristic equations]]. For example, the characteristic table of a T flip-flop is: | $T$ | $Q_{\text{next}}$ | Action | |:---:|:----------:|:------:| | $0$ | $Q$ | Hold | | $1$ | $\bar{Q}$ | Toggle | Characteristic tables can be used to derive an [[excitation table]].