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USB, short for Universal Serial Bus, is a standard type of connection for many kinds of devices. Generally, USB refers to the types of cables and connectors used to connect these many types of external devices to computers.
What is USB?
The Universal Serial Bus standard has been extremely successful. USB ports and cables are used to connect hardware such as printers, scanners, keyboards, mice, flash drives, external hard drives, joysticks, cameras, monitors, and more to computers of all kinds, including desktops, tablets, laptops, netbooks, etc.
In fact, USB has become so common that you'll find the connection available on nearly any computer-like device such as video game consoles, home audio/visual equipment, and even in many automobiles.
Before USB, many of those devices would attach to a computer over serial and parallel ports, and others like PS/2.
Many portable devices, like smartphones, eBook readers, and small tablets, use USB primarily for charging. USB charging has become so common that it's now easy to find replacement electrical outlets at home improvement stores with USB ports built in, negating the need for a USB power adapter.
Who created the USB standard?
USB was developed collaboratively between Compaq, DEC, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, NEC, and Nortel. The USB standard is maintained by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF).
What is the current USB standard?
Since 2019, USB4 has been the current USB standard. Only USB-C connectors (rather than traditional mini/micro-USB) can support USB4.
What does 2.0 and 3.0 mean on a flash drive?
If you see a number like 2.0 or 3.0 on your flash drive, it refers to the version of USB that the device supports. Flash drives that support USB 3.0 can transfer data slightly faster, but it doesn't matter too much since most ports are backward compatible.
What are the advantages of USB over EIA-232F?
EIA-232F is an older connection standard that was replaced by USB. The USB standard is faster and consumes less power, making it much more efficient.