The document discusses operational amplifiers (op-amps). It begins by introducing op-amps and their history. It then defines an op-amp as a DC-coupled high-gain electronic voltage amplifier. It describes the ideal characteristics of an op-amp including infinite input impedance, zero output impedance, and very high open-loop gain. It also discusses the basic inverting and non-inverting op-amp configurations and how they provide signal inversion and non-inversion respectively. It concludes by explaining differential and common-mode operation of op-amps.