What does USB stand for in the context of computer ports?

USB stands for Universal Serial Bus. This term refers to a standard that defines the cables, connectors, and protocols used for communication between various devices and a host controller, typically a computer. The introduction of USB aimed to simplify the connection process, allowing for a single type of connection to support a wide range of devices like printers, cameras, and external storage drives.

The "serial" in Universal Serial Bus indicates that data is transmitted one bit at a time, which is a common method for communication in digital circuits. This design simplifies the physical connections and improves the speed of data transfer compared to older parallel connection methods.

Understanding the correct terminology is essential for anyone working in business or technology, as it affects everything from product design to troubleshooting and communication among diverse devices.