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what is the difference between flip-flops and latches?
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When an input is used to flip one gate (make it go high), the other gate will flop (go low). Hence, "flip flop". A transparent "D" latch uses some gates to convert a "data" input and an "enable" input into RS signals which then drive an RS latch.
This control unit can be a clock input or an enable input. As we know, latches are level triggered and flip flops are edge-triggered. Flip flops are preferred over latches since latches are more prone to noise and unwanted signals. Latches are prone to glitches.
The Wikipedia article on the flip-flop has a good introduction. In particular, it notes that the distinction in terminology between "flip-flop" and "latch" is a recent distinction.
In digital circuits, a flip-flop is a term referring to an electronic circuit (a bistable multivibrator) that has two stable states and thereby is capable of serving as one bit of memory. Today, the term flip-flop has come to mostly denote non-transparent (clocked or edge-triggered) devices, while the simpler transparent ones are often referred to as latches; however, as this distinction is quite new, the two words are sometimes used interchangeably (see history).
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An oft-made distinction is that a flip-flop has a clock signal and a latch does not. Note, however, that not all engineers will make such a distinction.
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