digital perm uses heat (generated by electricity) to set the
perm.
Normal perm uses perm lotion. Ceramic perm is using ceramic tiles
(also heated) to set the perm.
I have done both digital perm, normal perm, half-normal perm
(Japanese perm) and something called spa perm (forgot what it
is).
I personally prefer digital perm. The perm last so much longer!