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What Is An Interrupt

Interrupt is a high priority signal that causes a processor to pause its current task and process the interrupt immediately. There are two main types of interrupts: hardware interrupts, which are generated by external devices or hardware; and software interrupts, which are caused by software instructions or exceptions. Interrupts can also be classified based on their periodicity, temporal relationship to the system clock, and whether they can be delayed or not.

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61 views

What Is An Interrupt

Interrupt is a high priority signal that causes a processor to pause its current task and process the interrupt immediately. There are two main types of interrupts: hardware interrupts, which are generated by external devices or hardware; and software interrupts, which are caused by software instructions or exceptions. Interrupts can also be classified based on their periodicity, temporal relationship to the system clock, and whether they can be delayed or not.

Uploaded by

AbuzarGhaffari
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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What is an Interrupt?

Interrupt is a signal which has highest priority from hardware or software which processor
should process its signal immediately.

Types of Interrupts:

Although interrupts have highest priority than other signals, there are many type of interrupts but
basic type of interrupts are

1. Hardware Interrupts: If the signal for the processor is from external device or hardware
is called hardware interrupts. Example: from keyboard we will press the key to do some
action this pressing of key in keyboard will generate a signal which is given to the
processor to do action, such interrupts are called hardware interrupts. Hardware interrupts
can be classified into two types they are
o Maskable Interrupt: The hardware interrupts which can be delayed when a
much highest priority interrupt has occurred to the processor.
o Non Maskable Interrupt: The hardware which cannot be delayed and should
process by the processor immediately.
2. Software Interrupts: Software interrupt can also divided in to two types. They are
o Normal Interrupts: the interrupts which are caused by the software instructions
are called software instructions.
o Exception: unplanned interrupts while executing a program is called Exception.
For example: while executing a program if we got a value which should be
divided by zero is called a exception.

Classification of Interrupts According to Periodicity of Occurrence:

1. Periodic Interrupt: If the interrupts occurred at fixed interval in timeline then that
interrupts are called periodic interrupts
2. Aperiodic Interrupt: If the occurrence of interrupt cannot be predicted then that
interrupt is called aperiodic interrupt.

Classification of Interrupts According to the Temporal Relationship with System Clock:

1. Synchronous Interrupt: The source of interrupt is in phase to the system clock is called
synchronous interrupt. In other words interrupts which are dependent on the system
clock. Example: timer service that uses the system clock.
2. Asynchronous Interrupts: If the interrupts are independent or not in phase to the system
clock is called asynchronous interrupt.

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