Parallel ports support higher data bandwidths than serial ports and they are much faster. When a printer uses parallel communication, it is receiving data eight bits at a time over eight separate wires (one for each bit). Parallel communication is the most popular way of communicating from computer to printer, mainly because it's faster than serial.
A male DB-25 connector and a male 36-pin Centronics connector at either ends of a parallel cable enable communication between the computer and printer. The DB-25 connector connects to the computer and the Centronics goes with the printer. Most of the cables are shorter than 10 feet long.
