Switching regulators get their name because they switch a power transistor (MOSFET) at their output. They tend to be more efficient than linear regulators in converting the input voltage to the output voltage. In other words, they waste less power during the conversion process. However, their drawback is that they require more external components (such as an inductor and diode) and therefore take up more space. They also typically cost more and generate far more noise than linear regulators. Unlike linear regulators, they can step up a voltage as well as stepping one down, and they can also invert. For example, a switching regulator can take a supply voltage of 3.6 V from a battery and provide you with a regulated 5 V supply for your embedded system. Alternatively, a switching regulator may take an unregulated 8 V supply and convert this to a regulated -12 V supply. Switching regulators are far more versatile than linear regulators. However, they do require careful design and board layout, so pay careful attention to the directions of the particular component manufacturer. As always, read the datasheets carefully.