Entity: IRQ
IRQ, short for Interrupt Request, is a computer-related term that refers to the process of interrupting the bus lines or the PIC lines, forcing the program to stop momentarily. It is an enumeration of the possible interrupt sources on a machine, typically representing the number of input pins on interrupt controllers in the system.
IRQ
Etymology
The term IRQ is an abbreviation for 'Interrupt Request'.
Definition
IRQ, short for Interrupt Request, is a computer-related term that signifies the process of interrupting the bus lines or the PIC lines, forcing the program to stop momentarily.
Historical Context
Technically, IRQ lines are named IR0 through IR7, and on the ISA bus, they are named IRQ0 through IRQ15. As the number of hardware devices increased, the total possible number of interrupts was increased by cascading.
Cultural Significance
IRQ plays a crucial role in computer systems by allowing hardware devices to interrupt the processor, giving them time to run their own operations.
Related Concepts
An IRQ number is an enumeration of the possible interrupt sources on a machine, typically representing the number of input pins on interrupt controllers in the system.
See Also
A computer-related term that signifies the process of interrupting the bus lines or the PIC lines, forcing the program to stop momentarily.