IRQ at Computer Glossary

What is it? Interrupt request. A method by which a device can request to be serviced by the devices software driver. The system board uses a PIC to monitor the priority of the requests from all devices. When a request occurs, the microprocessor suspends the current operation and gives control to the device driver associated with the interrupt number issued. The lower the number-for example, IRQ3-the higher the priority of the interrupt. Many devices only support raising requests of specific numbers.

Computer Definition Added By: Ian

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