What is an interrupt in an operating system?

Answer:

Explanation:

An interrupt is a signal sent to the processor, either by hardware or software, to indicate that an event has occurred that requires immediate attention. When an interrupt occurs, the processor temporarily stops executing the current process and handles the interrupt by executing a corresponding interrupt handler.

Interrupts are essential for handling tasks such as input/output operations, where peripheral devices like keyboards or network cards signal the CPU to take action. Hardware interrupts are triggered by external devices, while software interrupts are triggered by programs.

Once the interrupt is handled, the CPU resumes executing the previously running process. Interrupts improve system responsiveness by allowing the OS to react to events in real-time.