Data Structure
Networking
RDBMS
Operating System
Java
MS Excel
iOS
HTML
CSS
Android
Python
C Programming
C++
C#
MongoDB
MySQL
Javascript
PHP
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Mathematics
English
Economics
Psychology
Social Studies
Fashion Studies
Legal Studies
- Selected Reading
- UPSC IAS Exams Notes
- Developer's Best Practices
- Questions and Answers
- Effective Resume Writing
- HR Interview Questions
- Computer Glossary
- Who is Who
Difference between Interrupt and Exception
Although interrupt and exception are two distinct ideas, they are related in the sense that they both force the central processing unit (CPU) to halt the normal flow of execution of instructions and instead begin executing another programme in the kernel space in order to deal with the issue at hand. This is true even though interrupt and exception are distinct ideas. The primary distinction lies in the manner in which they deal with unforeseen occurrences that may take place anywhere in the system, the processor, or even within the programme itself.
What is an Interrupt?
An interruption is a signal that is provided to the central processing unit (CPU) of the computer from either an external device that is connected to the computer or a program that is running on the system itself that requires the OS to intervene in the current process.
As their name suggests, interruptions are sudden occurrences that bring to a halt the consistent flow of instructions being carried out by a system. It instructs the operating system to take immediate action on the following steps to take. These unforeseen occurrences are typically associated with an I/O device, which is primarily concerned with communicating with the outside world. For instance, the moment you hit a key on the keyboard or move the mouse, hardware interrupts are generated.
These interrupts cause the central processing unit (CPU) to read the keystroke or mouse movement. When an interrupt occurs, the central processing unit (CPU) executes a function known as the "interrupt handling routine" or the "interrupt handler" to deal with the situation that triggered the interrupt in the first place.
The moment an interrupt is detected, control is handed over to the operating system, which prompts the OS to begin taking rapid action. Interruptions are prioritized, which means that those with a high priority require quick attention and must be handled before those with lower priorities.
There are 4 different categories of Exceptions − interrupt, fault, abort, and trap. Despite the fact that interrupt is a type of exception, there are a number of key differences between the two.
Trap − Typically, it is a form of synchronous interrupt that is triggered whenever an extraordinary condition occurs (e.g., breakpoint, division by zero, invalid memory access).
Fault − A client application will make use of a fault exception in order to catch faults in SOAP that have been contractually specified. You are unable to determine the reason for the error based on the standard exception message; hence, a Fault Exception is quite helpful.
Abort − An instance of this kind of exception is thrown whenever the execution of an instruction fetches results in an error.
What is an Exception?
The phrase "exception" is an abbreviation for "exceptional event," which describes unanticipated occurrences that might take place anywhere in the system, the processor, or within a program and call for the attention of the central processing unit (CPU). Exceptions, similar to interruptions, divert the regular flow of instructions during the execution of a program.
However, unlike interrupts, exceptions occur during program execution and are so extraordinary that they cannot be handled by the program itself. If you give the processor the command to divide a number by zero, for instance, it will give a divide-by-zero exception, which will cause the computer to either stop the operation or display an error notice.
When an error occurs, the central processing unit (CPU) halts the process that is now being carried out and instantly reacts to the error by invoking a particular exception handler function, which differs according to the type of execution being carried out.
In a general sense, exceptions can be split up into two categories: those that are noticed by the processor and those that are created by the programming. The first type of exception is raised whenever the central processing unit (CPU) discovers any kind of irregularity while carrying out an instruction, whereas the second type of exception is raised whenever the programmer specifically requests it.
Difference between Interrupt and Exception
The term "interrupt" refers to one of the classes that fall under the umbrella term "exception." Other exception classes include "fault," "trap," and "abort." Both interruptions and exceptional circumstances abruptly bring the ongoing execution of instructions to a halt. Exceptions and interruptions have the same effect.
Interruptions are prioritized, which means that those with the highest priority, which require immediate attention, are dealt with first. The CPU would execute an interrupt handler or an exception handler whenever it comes across an interrupt or an exception, and it would do so while pausing the process that was now running. As soon as the execution of the handler is complete, the processor will immediately restore control of the process that was paused.
The following table highlights the major differences between Interrupt and Exception −
Basis of
Comparison | Interrupt | Exception |
|---|---|---|
Synonym | These are known as
Hardware Interrupts. | These are known as
Software Interrupts. |
Operation | In most cases, the
occurrence of one hardware
interrupt will render the
operation of all other
hardware interrupts
inoperable. | In terms of Exception, this
is not a valid case. |
Service | These are asynchronous
external service requests
(like keyboard or printer
needs service). | These are synchronous
internal service requests
triggered by abnormal
events (think of illegal
instructions, illegal address,
overflow, etc.). |
Program | Interrupts can occur at any
point in the
program because it is
asynchronous. | Because exceptions are
synchronous, they occur
when an abnormal event
occurs in your program,
such as a divide by zero or
an illegal memory location. |
Events | These are normal events
that should not disrupt the
normal operation of a
computer. | These are unusual events
that frequently result in the
termination of a program. |
Source | When a key is struck on a
keyboard or the mouse is
moved, it causes hardware
interrupts. These interrupts
tell the CPU to read the
keystroke or mouse
movement that was
detected. Errors that occur
during the execution of a
program can result in
software interruptions,
which are commonly
referred to as exceptions. | Exceptions can occur
anywhere in the system,
the processor, or within a
program, and each one
requires the attention of
the central processing unit
(CPU). If you give the
processor the command to
divide a number by zero,
for instance, it will give a
divide-by-zero exception,
which will cause the
computer to either stop the
operation or display an
error notice. |
Conclusion
Both interrupts and exceptions are unanticipated events that can take place anywhere in the system, the processor, or within a program and need the immediate attention of the central processing unit (CPU). Both of these bring about an immediate halt to the ongoing flow of instructions that are being carried out.
The CPU would execute an interrupt handler or an exception handler whenever it came across an interrupt or an exception, and it would do so while pausing the process that was now running. As soon as the execution of the handler is complete, the processor will immediately restore control of the process that was paused.
If there are many interruptions, the one with the highest importance should be dealt with first if there are multiple interruptions. The fact that exceptions are generated from within the processor, as opposed to interruptions, which are caused by external events, is one of the most significant differences between the two circumstances.
5K+ Views
