I know that for instance an ATMega328 is a 8 bit MCU with 32k of program space, the same can be said for most other MCUs and some other ICs with a direct relation between the name and internal specs. I might be asking an irrelevant question, but I want to know out of interest.
I know that there is the 7400 and 4000 series with there specific voltage or performance specifications, what I don't understand is how the suffix of each series came about, such as a Hex Inverter = 04, or take the 74HC595(8 bit shift register) does the number relate to the internal structure? I understand the 74HC238, 3-to-8 line decoder, its numbering makes sense as to its function.
A CMOS inverter uses two MOSFETs:
or a NAND gate with suffix '00
- Were the numbers given to a chip in a consecutive order or in relation to there development or are they related to their internal design?