Which of the following is NOT a type of interrupt?

Correct option is B

In computer systems, interrupts are classified into hardware interrupts and software interrupts. Hardware interrupts are triggered by external devices (e.g., keyboard, printer), while software interrupts are triggered by program instructions (e.g., system calls). Memory interrupt is not a standard interrupt type, making the correct answer "Memory interrupt."
Important Key Points:
1. Hardware Interrupt:
· Triggered by external devices like keyboards, disks, or network interfaces.
· Example: When a key is pressed, the CPU is interrupted to process the key event.
2. Software Interrupt:
· Triggered by a program or software through special instructions to request services from the operating system.
· Example: System calls (like file I/O operations) invoke software interrupts.
3. Non-existent Memory Interrupt:
· There is no specific category of "Memory interrupt."
· Memory-related errors (like page faults) are handled by exceptions, not standard interrupts.
4. Classification of Interrupts:
· Internal Interrupt (Exception): Caused by the processor itself (e.g., divide by zero, invalid opcode).
· External Interrupt: Caused by peripheral devices (e.g., timers, I/O devices).
· Software Interrupt: Explicitly triggered by programs.
Knowledge Booster:
· Interrupts improve system efficiency by enabling devices to notify the CPU only when service is needed, reducing the need for constant polling.
· Interrupt vectors are used to locate the appropriate service routines for specific interrupts.
· Maskable and non-maskable interrupts control which interrupts can be temporarily ignored.
· Exceptions (like divide-by-zero errors) are often confused with interrupts but are internally generated faults.
· Priority-based interrupt handling ensures critical interrupts are handled first.