How does flip-flop stores data?

[miketan3904]

Can anyone please explain to me how does flip-flip stores data? I have read from some websites and books stating that the function of the flip-flop is to store data, but how is that being achieved?

[greenpossum]

It is in one of two states, i.e. a bistable, so represents one bit. A FF stores data as long as the power is on.

[miketan3904]

So the output of the flip-flop is actually the data stored?

[pwlps]

So the output of the flip-flop is actually the data stored?

Yes, e.g. 5V = logical 1, 0 V = logical 0.

[miketan3904]

Understood. TQ.

[Doctorandus_P]

The simplest flip-flops are build from just 2 NAND gates.
A simple image search gives plenty of results, and also lot's of variants:
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=nand+gate+flipflop&t=hk&iax=images&ia=images

[tkamiya]

Simply stated, "flip", now it's 1.  Another "flip" now it's zero.  It stays that way just as memory bit would.

[greenpossum]

NAND gates? Some of us built our first FF with a pair of transistors, steering diodes and resistors.   

[retrolefty]

A flip-flop is a bi-stable circuit that can only be in two states, either set or reset. That is all that is required to make a one bit memory by reading it's present state or writing a new state change to the flip-flop.

[Zeyneb]

An Clock Enable input (for flip-flops that have these) can be considered as an Write Enable signal. So only when this Clock Enable signal is active either high or low (see datasheet) the flip-flop is going to store the bit when the next clock edge arrives. I do understand the OP for not understanding the storing aspect when all that is shown are flip-flops without the Clock Enable input.

[Brumby]

NAND gates? Some of us built our first FF with a pair of transistors, steering diodes and resistors.   

Yep.   

[jfiresto]

NAND gates? Some of us built our first FF with a pair of transistors, steering diodes and resistors.   

Some used a magnetically latching relay. Transistors can be so volatile.

[pwlps]

Some used a magnetically latching relay. Transistors can be so volatile.

And a nice example of process-control logic implemented with latching relays :
 

[Syntax Error]

If you're interested, the original electronic flip-flop was patented by Eccles and Jordan in 1918 and built from vaccum tubes. Which means the very first 'bit' of data was stored over 100 years ago!

Eccles & Jordan trigger circuit history https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flip-flop_(electronics)