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Difference between Interrupt and Polling

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Interrupt: Interrupt is a hardware mechanism in which, the device notices the CPU that it requires its attention. Interrupt can take place at any time. So when CPU gets an interrupt signal through the indication interrupt-request line, CPU stops the current process and respond to the interrupt by passing the control to interrupt handler which services device. 

Polling: In polling is not a hardware mechanism, its a protocol in which CPU steadily checks whether the device needs attention. Wherever device tells process unit that it desires hardware processing, in polling process unit keeps asking the I/O device whether or not it desires CPU processing. The CPU ceaselessly check every and each device hooked up thereto for sleuthing whether or not any device desires hardware attention. Each device features a command-ready bit that indicates the standing of that device, i.e., whether or not it’s some command to be read by hardware or not. If command bit is ready one, then it’s some command to be read else if the bit is zero, then it’s no commands. Let’s see that the difference between interrupt and polling:

S.NO Interrupt Polling
1. In interrupt, the device notices the CPU that it requires its attention. Whereas, in polling, CPU steadily checks whether the device needs attention.
2. An interrupt is not a protocol, its a hardware mechanism. Whereas it isn’t a hardware mechanism, its a protocol.
3. In interrupt, the device is serviced by interrupt handler. While in polling, the device is serviced by CPU.
4. Interrupt can take place at any time. Whereas CPU steadily ballots the device at regular or proper interval.
5. In interrupt, interrupt request line is used as indication for indicating that device requires servicing. While in polling, Command ready bit is used as indication for indicating that device requires servicing.
6. In interrupts, processor is simply disturbed once any device interrupts it. On the opposite hand, in polling, processor waste countless processor cycles by repeatedly checking the command-ready little bit of each device.

Last Updated : 22 Feb, 2023
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