PollPending

PollPending refers to a state or status within a computer system, particularly in the context of operating systems or embedded systems, where a pending operation is awaiting confirmation or completion through a polling mechanism. Polling is a method of input/output (I/O) handling where the CPU repeatedly checks the status of a peripheral device to determine if it is ready for data transfer or if an event has occurred.

When a device or process enters a PollPending state, it signifies that a request has been made, and the system is actively monitoring the device's status. This monitoring involves the CPU executing instructions to query the device's status registers. The device will then respond with information indicating whether the operation can proceed, if it has completed, or if it requires further attention.

This state is common in scenarios involving hardware interrupts, network packet reception, or communication with peripherals like keyboards, mice, or storage devices. Instead of relying on interrupts, where the device signals the CPU when it's ready, polling involves continuous checking. The PollPending state is a temporary condition that resolves once the polling mechanism detects the desired status change. The efficiency of polling depends heavily on the frequency of the events being monitored and the overhead associated with the polling process itself.