Current components of BJT.

In the active mode of the transistor, the Emitter current is always in the opposite
direction to those of the base current and collector current. Therefore by KCL, the
Emitter current is always equal to the sum of collector current and base current.
In NPN transistors, the Collector current and Base current go into the transistor and
Emitter current leaves the transistor.

In PNP transistors, the Collector current and Base current leave the transistor and
Emitter current enters into the transistor. therefore,

IE = IC + IB

Current gain in transistor.

In the active mode of a transistor, the ratio of the output current to the input current is
called the DC current gain, or current amplification factor.
If the ratio of change in output current and change in input current is taken, then it is
called AC current gain. The current gain has no unit.

In the CB configuration, the input current is the emitter current IE and the output current
is the collector current IC.
For common base configuration, the current gain is denoted by alpha(α).
 αdc = IC / IE

αac = ΔI C / ΔI E
It's value is slightly less than 1.
It varies from 0.99 to 0.95.

In the CE configuration, the input current is the base current IB and the output current is
the collector current IC.
For common emitter configuration;
The current gain is denoted by beeta (β).
 βDC = IC / IB
βAC = ΔI C / ΔI B
It's value is very large, about 20 to 100 or even more.

Relation between α and β.

1/α - 1/β = 1
.