Context: Often, through-hole and surface-mount construction must be combined in a single assembly because some required components are available only in surface-mount packages, while others are available only in through-hole packages. Another reason to use both methods is that through-hole mounting can provide needed strength for components likely to endure physical stress, while components that are expected to go untouched will take up less space using surface-mount techniques. For further comparison, see the SMT page.

Question: Surface-mount is one type of construction used in PCB assembly; what's the other one?
Answer: through-hole

Question: Which type of construction makes components that use more space?
Answer: through-hole

Question: Which of the two kinds of construction is weaker under strain?
Answer: surface-mount

Question: If you're building a circuit board that has a lot of components that won't be used, which construction would be better?
Answer: surface-mount

Question: What must be combined in a multiple assembly?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question: Surface mount mounting can provide needed strength for what?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question: Components that are expected to be touched will take up what?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question: All required components are available only in what?
Answer: Unanswerable