Several devices collect data from sensors and need to send it to another unit, like a computer, for further processing. Data transfer/communication is generally done in two ways: parallel and serial. In the parallel mode, data transfer is fast and uses more number of lines. This mode is good for short range data transfer.
Thanks for reading: How to interface computer's Serial Port (RS232) with 8051 microcontroller (AT89C51)
Serial communication on the other hand, uses only one or two data lines to transfer data and is generally used for long distance communication. In serial communication the data is sent as one bit at a time. This article describes the interfacing of 8051 microcontroller (AT89C51) with a computer via serial port, RS232. Serial communication is commonly used in applications such as industrial automation systems, scientific analysis and certain consumer products.
