IBM Parallel Interface:  The Centronics standard has gained wide
acceptance in the printer marketplace.  It has 36 pins in the interface
and supports distances of approximately 15 feet.  

With the introduction of the IBM PC, a new interface appeared, the IBM
Parallel interface.  This is a Centronics interface crammed into only
25 pins.  Some of the leads of the Centronics interface are dropped, yet
this interface provides for equivalent functionality.  

The key is that at the computer-end of the cable, a DB25 interface is used.
The IBM PC/XT port is a female DB25 connector, meaning that the cable end
will always be male.  When you see more than a single DB25 port on the back
of a PC, the gender of the port tells you which is the parallel port.
The female port is the parallel interface, while the male port is a serial
interface(ACA equivalent).  This can save you time if you know this
difference.

The DB25 to Centronics cable is used to connect a printer with an 
amphenol Centronics port to a PC with a DB25 parallel connector.  Don't
make the assumption that a parallel printer can be connected to a serial
port.  Instead, note that the connector size is merely the same, the
DB25 type.  

Please hit any key to continue
