The current-feedback operational amplifier (CFOA) is a relatively new arrival in the analogue designer's tool kit. The first monolithic device was produced by Elantec Inc. in 1987 and since then it has intrigued and puzzled many. Is it really better than the conventional and well known voltage-feedback operational amplifier (VOA)? How does the CFOA differ in design? What are the applications where it performs better than the VOA and when should the VOA be used in preference to the CFOA? We attempt to give some insight into the design and performance of the CFOA and to answer these questions.