A light-emitting diode, otherwise known as a LED, is a two-lead semiconductor light source. Unlike outdated light sources such as neon, fluorescent, and filament lighting which require high amounts of energy to heat gases or metal filaments to create a glow, LEDs produce light by passing an electrical current through a semiconductor. As the electricity crosses the different components of the diode, the electrons in the current release photons and heat. LEDs have become the lighting choice of designers across all industries and applications. The primary benefit of LEDs is their high efficiency, as they consume very little power and produce very little heat. Due to the semiconductor-based design, LEDs also offer high reliability at a low cost. LEDs also are very robust, providing a long life.