(1) Debounce (v) – To remove the small ripple of current that forms when a mechanical switch is pushed in an electrical circuit and makes a series of short contacts. [ Source ]

(2) Electrical contacts in mechanical pushbutton switches often make and break contact several times when the button is first pushed. A debouncing circuit removes the resulting ripple signal, and provides a clean transition at its output. [ Source ]

Switches can do some really odd things. Most engineers learn this dirty little secret soon after connecting a switch or a relay to a digital system. Switches don’t make and break cleanly on the time scales of digital systems. Instead, a typical switch makes multiple transitions during the tens of milliseconds required to open or close, due to effects that include age, operating inertia, mechanical design, and the microscopic condition of the switch-contact surfaces. Commonly called “switch bounce,” this behavior is an inescapable fact of life. [ Source ]

Now, those damn bounces can be easily taken care of using Software Debouncing (never mind the overvoltage spikes, electostatic discharge, and other transients). I remember we did this in CoE 115 (ya know, that subject that rendered me sleepless for many many nights) before. You have to introduce some sort of delay (say, a few milliseconds) before getting the voltage value of the switch. That way you’re sure if it’s the right value and not just some transient one.

Anyway, it’s like this: sometimes a switch is flipped or pressed in your head and a thought is suddenly there. That thought may be a temporary one (transient) or maybe it’s just an impulsive urge or whatever. Or maybe it’s the real thing — the one that infinitely loops inside your head and you forgot to put a “break;” statement in there somewhere so it’s there, just there, floating in your always-low-programmed-mind and it’s never-ending. The only way to make sure that that thought is real is to wait it out (for like 5 to 10 minutes — yeah, that works with me, coz I’m like fickle-minded as hell). Now, if that singular thought still lingers after a day (or a week, or a month, or God forbid — many many many months!), then maybe it’s the real value, maybe it’s The Real Deal.

Errrr, having said all that … sooooooo … … what now?

Hahaha. I say, DEBOUNCE, Kilcher, DEBOUNCE!

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EXAMPLE DESU:

Sa train, papauwi:
[#] Parang gusto ko bumili ng desktop.
[~] Go.
[#] Pagkauwing-pagkauwi mag-customize na ko.
[~] Hay naku, dapat pagkatapos mo, orderin mo agad.
[~] Pag pinapatagal mo, di natutuloy eh.
[#] Eh sorry namaaaaaan. Fickle-minded. At saka maiksi ang attention span.

Pagkauwi ng bahay, nagcustomize na agad, hanggang sa antaas na ng presyong inabot:
[#] Naku, impulse ito.
[=] Hindi yan, bumili ka naaaa. Diablo 3 rin yan no.

After 15 minutes…
[#] Lumipas na ang urge.
[=] Bili ka naaaa.
[#] Di rin naman ako makakapag-Diablo 3. Wala akong oras.
[=] Magkakaron ka niyan ng oras.
[#] Hindi na muna siguro…

The next morning…
[=] Alam mo, makakamura ka kung mag-assemble na lang.
[#] Hmmmm…
(Pause)
[#] Oo nga ano …

Lumagpas na ng isang araw, iniisip ko pa rin. So what now?

Hahaha. I say, DEBOUNCE, Kilcher, DEBOUNCE!

PS — Marami pang examples, hindi lang yan. Meron pa ngang months na ang Δt no Pero ayoko na isa-isahin kasi hindi ako matatapos for sure. Basta ang masasabi ko lang ay …

DEBOUNCE, KILCHER, DEBOUNCE!