The parallel port is designed to transfer 8 bits, or 1 character at a time through a parallel cable that has 8 data lines. Imagine this cable as an 8-lane freeway that allows 8 cars to travel over it at a time.

The parallel port connects peripheral devices that receive and send large quantities of data to and from the CPU. This includes printers, tape drives, and certain disk drives. You can connect one peripheral device to each parallel port.

Older PCs generally can use 2 parallel ports. Newer PCs can generally use 4. Parallel ports are often referred to as LPT or Line PrinTer ports. If your PC can use two parallel ports, they are labeled as LPT1 and LPT2. If your PC can use 4 parallel ports, they are labeled LPT1 through LPT4.