(D-SUBminiature connectors) A family of plugs and sockets widely used in communications and computer devices. For example, the common analog VGA interface for monitors uses a D-sub 15-pin plug and socket.

Also called "DB connectors," D-sub connectors come with 9, 15, 25, 37 and 50 pins. The D-sub defines the physical structure of the connector, not the purpose of each line.

Not Always DB Either
Although the common designations for D-sub connectors are "DB connectors," the international DIN 41625 standard defines them using the letter D followed by A through E, with DB-25 being the only actual "DB" connector. The DIN designations are in parentheses in the illustration below.

DB-25
The female DB-25 connector was widely used in the past for the printer port on a PC (see printer cable). The male DB-25 was also the second serial port (COM2) on the PC when serial ports were popular. It is still widely used for various RS-232 communications devices.

DB-9 (DE-9)
The male DB-9 connector (officially the DE-9) was typically used for the first serial port on earlier PCs (COM1) as well as other communications devices. See serial port.

DB-15 (DA-15 and DE-15)
Two DB-15 connectors are widely used. The larger, two-row female DA-15 is the game port on a PC, and the smaller, three-row, female high-density DE-15 is the VGA port. See plugs & sockets.