The purpose of this page is to try and explain the transistor.
The audience to which it is aimed, is anyone who has or hasn't a clue to how these little Buggers work and/or how to use them. A real problem with some other explanations: for the sake of "fidelity" authors' include confusing details until the concept, or thread--of how they actually work & how to use them--is lost.
No claim to scholarship is made, but you may end up knowing just a little more than before--or NOT!
The following is comprised of several different explanations. They should be read several times, because any insight gained from one may help in understanding another. The "List of Characteristics" should be read for parts of the puzzle, not for insights: however, "you-takes-what-you-gets.