Reconfigurable field effect transistors: A technology enablers perspective

•A review providing a comprehensive view on reconfigurable transistors, from both the device and the circuit level.•Five basic principles, which we call technology enablers, that all reconfigurable transistors need to yield the desired functionality.•A new view on established classifications and naming paradigms; providing a more generalized approach.•A discussion, how the functionality of RFETs can be further improved by value-added features such as non-volatile storage or negative differential resistance operation.•A review of the application potential of RFETs with spotlight on the areas of hardware security and neuromorphic circuits.