Interruptible Designs
- Enables pausing an ongoing process to handle a higher-priority task.
- Commonly used in computing and control systems to allocate resources and enforce priorities.
- Helps ensure critical tasks complete on time while maintaining overall system performance.
Definition
Section titled “Definition”Interruptible designs are a type of system or design that allows for the interruption of a process or operation in order to perform a higher priority task. This approach is often used in computing and control systems to allocate resources efficiently and prioritize tasks.
Explanation
Section titled “Explanation”Interruptible designs detect or receive interrupt requests that indicate a higher-priority task needs attention. When such an interrupt is detected, the system pauses the current process, permits the interrupting task to run, and then resumes the original process once the higher-priority work is completed. Applied to both software (for example, operating systems) and hardware/control environments (for example, manufacturing plants), interruptible designs balance timely completion of critical tasks with maintaining the overall operation of the system.
Examples
Section titled “Examples”Computer operating system
Section titled “Computer operating system”When a user runs multiple programs, the operating system periodically checks for incoming interrupts, such as a program requesting a resource or user input. If an interrupt is detected, the operating system pauses the current process, allows the interrupting task to complete, then resumes the original process.
Manufacturing plant with multiple assembly lines
Section titled “Manufacturing plant with multiple assembly lines”In a plant with several assembly lines, machines perform different tasks but occasional higher-priority tasks may arise for certain machines. The plant’s control system can be designed to interrupt a machine’s normal operation to perform a higher-priority task, helping ensure critical tasks are completed on time without disrupting overall production.
Use cases
Section titled “Use cases”- Computing systems (operating systems handling multiple programs and interrupts)
- Control systems (industrial control allowing interruption of machines for higher-priority tasks)
- Efficient resource allocation and task prioritization in a variety of systems
Related terms
Section titled “Related terms”- Interrupts
- Operating system
- Control system
- Assembly line