interrupt

	This is the JargonFile ^(V4.00) entry for interrupt - Next: interrupt list, Prev: Internet address
:interrupt: 1. [techspeak] /n./ On a computer, an event that interrupts normal processing and temporarily diverts flow-of-control through an "interrupt handler" routine. See also trap. 2. /interj./ A request for attention from a hacker. Often explicitly spoken. "Interrupt -- have you seen Joe recently?" See priority interrupt. 3. Under MS-DOS, nearly synonymous with system call, because the OS and BIOS routines are both called using the INT instruction (see [[interrupt list, the]]) and because programmers so often have to bypass the OS(going directly to a BIOS interrupt) to get reasonable performance.
* (text is auto-included via JargonExtension by mutante using jargon with VERSION 4.0.0, 24 JUL 1996* - JargonFile by Eric S. Raymond is in the public domain)*