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What are the differences between a trap (aka software interrupt) and an interrupt (hardware interrupt)? What is the use of each function

User SeanR
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Answer:

Trap is a software interrupt that occurs when there is a system call, while hardware interrupt occurs when a hardware component needs urgent attention.

Step-by-step explanation:

Interrupt is an input signal that disrupt the activities of a computer system, giving immediate attention to a hardware or software request.

In trap interrupt, the system activities are stop for a routine kernel mode operation, since it has a higher priority than the user mode. At the end of the interrupt, it switches control to the user mode.

The hardware interrupt is a signal from hardware devices like the input/output devices, storage and even peripheral devices that draws an immediate attention of the processor, stopping and saving other activities and executing the event with an interrupt handler.

User Jeff Zacher
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