In computing, a bus is another name for a data highway.
This communication system sends data between different senders and receivers within a computer or between computers on a internet.
As long as they transfer data, they can be called a bus.
There are, of course, lots of different types, each with unique identifying characteristics.
Internal buses are the ones within a computer.
So, for example, all the buses that connect a CPU to RAM or to the GPU.
There are thousands of possible connections and hundreds of active buses in a computer at any time.
If it needs to travel further, it will utilize multiple buses to get where it needs to go.
If the printer is unplugged, the bus connecting to it becomes unusable.
Address and Memory buses
Another way to classify buses is by what they are for.
Address buses are used to specify physical addresses.
Rather than addressing memory module X, they deliver data specifically to bit XYZ on memory module J.
The width of the bus determines how much memory it can address directly.
Each bit does not have its bus here but a 32-bit bus can handle 4GB of memory space.
A memory bus isnt a throw in of bus but a specific one.
It connects the computers main memory with the memory controller in a computer or computing system.
This is an essential function that makes the memory module able to function.
There are two parts, the address bus, and the data bus.
These terms can also be used with other buses; unfortunately, the terminology isnt exact.
Tip:The term RAM bus should be avoided.
This can be broken down further to address or data bus if needed.
Parallel buses transport multiple bits of data at the same time.
The concept is similar to how a multi-lane highway allows more cars to drive on it simultaneously.
Any traffic on that lane is sequential rather than parallel.
At a glance, it may seem like that is a worse setup.
In reality, however, serial buses are often faster since they can be clocked to higher speeds.
They are also cheaper and easier to implement while taking up less space.
Conclusion
In computing, a bus is a communication system.
It covers communications systems internal to a single computer and inter-computer communication systems.
The term bus refers to the hardware needed to communicate, such as electrical or optical connectivity.
It also covers the software and protocols used to communicate over the hardware connections.
The term is the modern replacement for the now essentially unused term data highway.
