Serial and Parallel

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Serial transmission is simple, one data bit at a time along a single wire.

Advantages: arrives in order, less chance of data being skewed.

single wire, less chance of data error.

Much cheaper.

Disadvantages: very slow.

Additional data sent to show begin and end. known as start and stop bit.

Parallel transmission is multiple wires transmitting data. several bits traveling at the same time along multiple wires.

Advantages: much faster.

Used to transmit data internally, no need to convert to serial.

Disadvantages: Arrives out of order and more likely to be skewed.

More chance of errors.

More expensive.