serial port
It can be either.
A com port can also be called a serial port.
Yes on a modern computer you will need a USB to 9 pin RS232 converter or previously use the LPT parallel port.
Difference between Rs232 and RS485 is Only Distance RS232 is not for long or far distance .. but RS485 can be use for LONGEST distance ..RS232 is single ended communication where as RS485 is Differential communication.Max.no of receivers in RS232 is only ONE, whereas in RS485 is 32.Max.no of transmitters in RS232 is only ONE whereas in RS485 is 32.IN RS232 there is no pin to change from transmitter mode receiver mode. But, In RS485 have DE pin to set transmitter mode and RI to set receiver mode.
A USB modem plugs into your USB port.A "normal" modem plugs into your RS232 port or your parallel port.
rs232
UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter)
RS-232 serial ports are far slower than USB ports. With very few exceptions, devices that use USB ports would be impractical to use on a serial port.
Different data rate speed (for rs232 is lower), usb is more flexible and takes less energy. Different instructions and commands. If you are a programmer then it's easier for to work with usb then with rs232.
The three different ways of accomplishing multiprocessing include symmetric, asynchronous, and coupled processors. Asynchronous is sometimes also referred to as pipelining or hyperthreading, while coupled processors is the type most commonly referred to today.
Serial port, this one, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:RS-232.jpeg) it is usually coloured green on modern computers.
rs232 isfaster than rs449