Mouser .....IC case/package explanations (SOIC, PDIP, etc)?

[powerplayj]

Many times I play it safe and go with the 1 offering Small Bear has vs. sorting through the 40 options from Mouser.  However, I also want to be a bit more educated so I can do one-stop shopping during the times I order certain items from Mouser. 

Can anyone explain the packaging abbreviations for ICs when ordering from Mouser?  Also, is their a consensus as to a particular designation that is best for effects use?  Last, If anyone wants to go the extra mile..................as a general question, when searching IC's with different suffixes what specifications should I be most concerned with? 

here is a link for just a generic IC for reference....http://www.mouser.com/search/Refine.aspx?Ne=1447464+254016&Ntt=*tl074*&Ntx=mode+matchall&Msb=0&Mkw=tl074&N=1323038+2371767+1323043+4294809952&Ntk=Mouser_Wildcards

Many Thanks,

Jason

[tcobretti]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small-Outline_Integrated_Circuit

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PDIP

http://howto.wikia.com/wiki/Guide_to_IC_packages

[markm]

  The Data sheets are directly linked on Mouser which while convenient, can still be time consuming.
Most of us are still using the DIP but, that is rapidly changing it seems! 

[powerplayj]

Good stuff....looks like the spacing will lead me toward the DIP.

Thanks