What is the most common interface for peripheral devices?

The most common interface for peripheral devices is Universal Serial Bus (USB). USB has become the standard connection method for a wide variety of devices, such as keyboards, mice, printers, external hard drives, and many other peripherals. Its popularity stems from several key advantages: it supports hot swapping, which allows devices to be connected or disconnected without needing to power down the computer; it provides power to devices, reducing the need for separate power supplies; and it supports high data transfer rates, making it efficient for a wide range of applications.

Furthermore, USB has evolved through multiple versions, enhancing its capabilities over time while maintaining backward compatibility. This extensive adoption has solidified USB as the primary interface for connecting peripherals across various platforms and devices.

In contrast, while FireWire was commonly used in the past, especially for video devices and external hard drives, its usage has declined significantly, making it less prevalent than USB today. Serial and parallel interfaces were more common in older technology but have largely been replaced by USB due to their limitations in speed and ease of use.