Serial Communication
Serial communication is a method of data transmission where bits are sent sequentially over a single communication channel or wire, as opposed to parallel communication which uses multiple channels simultaneously. It is widely used for connecting computers to peripheral devices like modems, printers, and embedded systems, and includes protocols such as RS-232, UART, SPI, and I2C. This concept enables reliable, long-distance data exchange with relatively simple hardware requirements.
Developers should learn serial communication when working with embedded systems, IoT devices, robotics, or hardware interfacing, as it is fundamental for microcontroller-to-sensor or device-to-device communication. It is essential for debugging and programming microcontrollers, connecting legacy industrial equipment, and implementing low-bandwidth data links in applications like GPS modules or serial consoles.