Socket has 8 machined contact pins to attach it to your circuit. Then you can quickly and easily switch out your DIP 8 IC chips. They have the standard 2.54mm pitch and are sized so if you line 2 (or more) up they can be used as a 16 pin Socket (or more). High quality with less contact resistance and better retention. Definitely the best choice if you plan on removing and replacing chips often in your circuit. The only choice if you want to put a socket in a solderless breadboard!