Interrupt-Driven I/O
Interrupt-Driven I/O is a computer architecture and operating system concept where input/output operations are handled asynchronously through hardware or software interrupts, rather than by polling. When a device (e.g., a keyboard, network card, or disk) has data ready or needs attention, it sends an interrupt signal to the CPU, which temporarily suspends the current process to execute an interrupt service routine (ISR) to handle the I/O. This approach improves system efficiency by allowing the CPU to perform other tasks while waiting for I/O events, reducing idle time compared to polling-based methods.
Developers should learn and use Interrupt-Driven I/O in scenarios where system responsiveness and efficiency are critical, such as in real-time systems, embedded devices, or high-performance computing applications. It is essential for handling asynchronous events like user inputs, network packets, or hardware signals without wasting CPU cycles on constant checking. This concept is foundational in operating system design, device driver development, and low-level programming to optimize resource utilization and ensure timely responses to external events.