Interrupts play an important role in the operation of a computer system. The diagram shows a simplified view of how the CPU handles interrupts. (a) Describe...
Question 1 Report
Interrupts play an important role in the operation of a computer system. The diagram shows a simplified view of how the CPU handles interrupts.
(a) Describe what an interrupt is. [2]
(b) Give two examples of events that could generate an interrupt.
[2]
Answer Details
(a) An interrupt is a signal sent to the CPU by a hardware device or software process that requires immediate attention. [1] When an interrupt occurs, the CPU temporarily stops executing its current task so that it can deal with the event that generated the interrupt. Once the interrupt has been handled, the CPU resumes the original task from where it left off. [1]
(b) Two examples of events that generate interrupts:
- A printer signalling that it has run out of paper or that it is ready to receive more data from the CPU. [1]
- A keyboard key being pressed, generating a hardware signal that the operating system needs to process so the character can be displayed or acted upon. [1]
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