Interrupts are signals that inform the CPU to cease its current activities and address a high-priority task. They are essential for efficient CPU operation, allowing it to respond quickly to various events without being idle or continuously polling for signals. Interrupts can originate from both hardware devices and software programs, prompting the operating system to take appropriate action.

Hardware Interrupts

Hardware interrupts are generated by external devices like keyboards, mice, or I/O devices. When a user interacts with a device, it sends a signal to the CPU to perform a specific action. These interrupts are further categorized into:

• Maskable Interrupts: These can be delayed if a higher priority interrupt is being serviced by the CPU. They are so named because they can be "masked" or ignored temporarily.

• Non-Maskable Interrupts (NMI): These cannot be delayed and must be processed immediately. They are critical and usually signal emergencies that the CPU must address promptly.