DC characteristic #2: Output currents (IOH and IOL)
The drive capability of the output buffer and the guaranteed output current are important when connecting a CMOS logic IC with an LSI chip.
DC characteristics of the 74VHC04FT
Example: Output current (IOH/IOL) vs output voltage (VOH/VOL) curves of the 74VHC04
CMOS logic ICs are designed to provide almost the same drive capability at both IOH and IOL.