What does the term 'interrupt' refer to in computing?

The term 'interrupt' in computing refers to a mechanism that allows one computing element to signal another, typically to gain attention or request processing for an event. This is crucial in computer systems as it facilitates communication between hardware components, such as the CPU and peripherals, allowing the system to respond to immediate needs, like input from a mouse or keyboard, or to handle errors efficiently.

When an interrupt occurs, the current process is paused, and the CPU temporarily halts its operations to execute a designated interrupt handler or service routine that addresses the specific request of the interrupting device. This ensures timely processing and improves the overall responsiveness of the system.

Understanding interrupts is fundamental in the design of operating systems and hardware interfaces, as they enhance multitasking capabilities and optimize resource usage by allowing devices to operate independently and notify the processor only when they need attention.