Communication within a computer involves transferring data between peripheral devices, the hard disk and the CPU. Every part of the computer is linked to the CPU either directly or indirectly by a bus.
![Picture](/uploads/4/8/7/3/48736149/8027919_orig.png)
A bus is a pathway of wires and connectors that provides the link between input, storage, process and output devices. A bus can be thought of as a highway on which data travels within the computer. The size of the bus is called its width. The greater the width, the more data that can be transmitted at the one time.
![Picture](/uploads/4/8/7/3/48736149/1603754.png?425)
A port is a socket used to connect peripheral devices. It is usually located at the rear of the system unit (see Figure 2.25). Ports have different connectors that are used to attach cables to the peripheral devices. Most connectors are available in two types: male and female. Male connectors have one or more exposed pins like the end of a power cord. Female connectors have matching holes like a power point. Ports are either parallel or serial.