An interrupt is a signal sent to the CPU by hardware or software to indicate that an event needs immediate attention. It temporarily halts the CPU’s current execution and transfers control to a specific interrupt handler.

An Interrupt is a mechanism used by hardware or software to interrupt the normal execution of a process in order to signal the CPU for attention. Formally, an interrupt is defined as a request to the processor to suspend its current activities and execute a special procedure called an interrupt handler. Interrupts are categorized into hardware interrupts (triggered by hardware devices) and software interrupts (triggered by software instructions), and are essential for handling asynchronous events and managing system resources efficiently.

There are different types of interrupts, such as hardware interrupts (triggered by I/O devices), software interrupts (generated by instructions), and exceptions (arising from errors). The operating system prioritizes and handles interrupts through an Interrupt Vector Table (IVT).

Efficient interrupt handling is essential for responsive systems. Techniques like interrupt masking and prioritization help manage complex interrupt scenarios and ensure critical tasks are not delayed.