interface

In computing, the point of contact between two programs or pieces of equipment. The term is most often used for the physical connection between the computer and a peripheral device, which is used to compensate for differences in such operating characteristics as speed, data coding, voltage, and power consumption. For example, a printer interface is the cabling and circuitry used to transfer data from a computer to a printer, and to compensate for differences in speed and coding.

Common standard interfaces include the Centronics interface, used to connect parallel devices, and the RS-232 interface, USB, and 1394 interfaces are used to connect serial devices. For example, in many microcomputer systems, an RS-232 interface is used to connect the microcomputer to a modem, and a Centronics device is used to connect it to a printer.