Data Bus
A data bus is a communication system within a computer or between devices that transfers data between components, such as the CPU, memory, and peripherals, using shared pathways. It consists of wires or traces that carry binary data, addresses, and control signals, enabling efficient data exchange in digital systems. This concept is fundamental to computer architecture, ensuring coordinated operation and data flow in hardware and software.
Developers should learn about data buses to understand low-level system design, optimize performance in embedded systems or hardware-software integration, and debug communication issues in computing devices. It's crucial for roles involving computer architecture, IoT development, or when working with microcontrollers, GPUs, or network protocols where data transfer efficiency impacts overall system functionality.