Context: Discrete transistors are individually packaged transistors. Transistors come in many different semiconductor packages (see image). The two main categories are through-hole (or leaded), and surface-mount, also known as surface-mount device (SMD). The ball grid array (BGA) is the latest surface-mount package (currently only for large integrated circuits). It has solder "balls" on the underside in place of leads. Because they are smaller and have shorter interconnections, SMDs have better high-frequency characteristics but lower power rating.

Question: What is a discrete transistor?
Answer: individually packaged transistors

Question: What are the two most common types of transistor?
Answer: through-hole (or leaded), and surface-mount

Question: What is another name for the surface-mount transistor?
Answer: surface-mount device (SMD)

Question: What is the newest surface-mount transistor?
Answer: ball grid array (BGA)

Question: What is a ball grid array composed of?
Answer: solder "balls" on the underside in place of leads

Question: What is the most common type of transistor?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question: How many solder "balls" does a Ball Grid Array have?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question: What is the most common type of semiconductor package?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question: What is the most important attribute for a transistor to have?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question: What is the oldest type of semiconductor package?
Answer: Unanswerable