There was a time when all IC’s were only TTL type. They were marked as 74LS or 74ALS. But then there came CMOS types of semiconductors. They are usually marked CDxx. And lately, there appeared combined semiconductors that are compliant with both types. They usually are marked as 74HC or 74HCT.
TTL is faster than CMOS, but they sink more power. They are powered from a 5V source. To diminish the power consumption, the CMOS was developed. They can work with supplied voltages in the range of 3 to 15V. The main disadvantage is that they are static sensitive. So you always have to be grounded when working with CMOS.
Now both types of semiconductors are widely used. Sometimes there is a dilemma to connect TTL to CMOS. You cannot connect TTL directly to CMOS as there are different supply voltages. So it would help if you had some compliance circuit. The simplest can be bipolar transistor cascade.
Just remember that such a cascade inverts the signal, so you might need to put an inverter in front of CMOS. Another reminder – never leave TTL or CMOS free pins hanging. Jus connect them through a resistor to VCC or GND.
nou