An electronic component is a object or a entity in a electronic system or circuit .The purpose of a component may be to control or affect flow of electrons and their function may be for affecting associated fields .
The components may be connected together like components soldered to form printed circuit board (PCB), connecting them to create a circuit (oscillator or amplifier) to perform particular function. The components usually are in a discrete form with two or more connecting leads.
Components are classified as Active components and passive components.
Active components have their own gain or directionality. Semiconductor devices (various types of transistors) and vaccum tubes come under active components.
Passive components do not have gain or directionality. In the perspective of electrical technology, Passive components are known as electrical components or elements. Passive components are capacitors,inductors,resistors and diodes.