How are interrupts handled in Assembly Language programming?

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How are interrupts handled in Assembly Language programming?

In Assembly Language programming, interrupts are handled through the use of interrupt service routines (ISRs).

When an interrupt occurs, the processor suspends the execution of the current program and transfers control to a specific memory location called the interrupt vector table. This table contains the addresses of the ISRs for different types of interrupts.

The ISR is a subroutine that handles the specific interrupt request. It is responsible for saving the state of the interrupted program, performing the necessary operations to handle the interrupt, and restoring the saved state before returning control to the interrupted program.

To handle interrupts, the programmer needs to define the ISRs and assign them to the appropriate interrupt vector table entries. This can be done by writing the ISR code directly in Assembly Language or by using interrupt handling libraries provided by the specific hardware or operating system.

The ISR should be efficient and execute quickly to minimize the impact on the overall system performance. It should also handle any necessary interrupt-specific operations, such as acknowledging the interrupt, clearing interrupt flags, or interacting with peripheral devices.

Interrupts can be categorized into different types, such as hardware interrupts, software interrupts, or exceptions. Each type of interrupt has its own specific handling requirements and may require different instructions or operations to be performed in the ISR.

Overall, handling interrupts in Assembly Language programming involves defining and implementing the necessary ISRs, assigning them to the appropriate interrupt vector table entries, and ensuring efficient and effective handling of the interrupt requests to maintain the proper functioning of the system.