Most of the present-day electronics designers and application engineers do not find it necessary to look beyond the first page of the datasheets of the electronic components or devices while selecting one for their application. They consider the knowledge of a few major specifications of the device sufficient for the design exercise that they wish to undertake. Though it may be adequate in some cases, the design where the components are chosen without giving due consideration to the information contained in the datasheet may not be the optimal one.
The datasheet of a device reveals its true character and hence its suitability for a given application. In addition to listing down the device parameters, it gives the electrical and environmental conditions at which these parameters have been measured and also contains information on variation of important parameters as a function of other relevant electrical and environmental parameters. It is vital information particularly when you are designing a circuit or a module that has to qualify stringent environment standards. A comprehensive datasheet almost invariably includes application circuits recommended by the manufacturer.