megszakítást

Meggszakítást, meaning "interrupt" in Hungarian, refers to a signal sent by hardware or software to the central processing unit (CPU) of a computer. This signal temporarily suspends the current execution of instructions, allowing the CPU to attend to a more urgent task. Once the interrupt is handled, the CPU can resume its previous activity.

Interrupts are a fundamental mechanism for managing asynchronous events. Hardware devices, such as a keyboard, mouse, or network card, can generate interrupts to notify the CPU that they require attention, like a key press or incoming data. Software programs can also generate interrupts, for example, to request an operating system service or to signal an error condition.

When an interrupt occurs, the CPU stops its current operation and jumps to a specific piece of code called an interrupt service routine (ISR). This ISR is designed to handle the particular type of interrupt. After the ISR completes its task, the CPU restores its previous state and continues with the interrupted program. This process allows the computer to remain responsive to user input and external events without constantly polling devices.

The efficient handling of interrupts is crucial for modern operating systems, enabling multitasking and real-time processing. Different types of interrupts exist, categorized by their source (hardware or software) and priority, ensuring that critical events are addressed promptly.