A ribbon cable is a type of electrical cable that consists of multiple wires running parallel to each other, resembling a flat ribbon. This design allows for efficient organization and space-saving in electronic devices. Ribbon cables are commonly used in computers and other electronic equipment to connect components like hard drives, motherboards, and printers. These cables are often found in various configurations, such as IDE and SATA cables, which are used for connecting storage devices. The flat design helps reduce electromagnetic interference and makes it easier to route the cables within tight spaces in devices.