Difference between Maskable and Non-Maskable
An occurrence that any computer component creates is referred to as an "interrupt." Any external event that needs the system's immediate attention is designated as an interrupt and is sent to the CPU. Interrupts happen in an asynchronous manner. Interrupts can be divided into two categories: non-maskable and maskable.
What is Maskable Interrupt?
A maskable interrupt is one that has the ability to disable/ignore the system's CPU's instructions alone. Such interruptions are easily triggered in two ways. They can either be level-triggered or edge-triggered as a result.
What is Non-Maskable Interrupt?
Non-Maskable Interrupts are the kind of interrupts that a system's CPU may conveniently ignore or deactivate. This kind of interruption frequently occurs when the reaction time is crucial. It also serves as a good choice when we don't want to turn off an interrupt throughout a system's regular functioning. Such an interrupt takes advantage of operations like profiling, system debugging, handling of unique circumstances like system resets, and hardware faults of the non-reporting variety.
Difference between Maskable and Non-Maskable interrupt
| Parameters | Maskable Interrupt | Non-Maskable Interrupt |
| Definition and Meaning | It is a hardware interrupt that a system's CPU may simply disable or ignore with a few simple commands. | It is a hardware interrupt that a system's CPU cannot ignore or deactivate in any way. |
| Interrupt Execution and Handling | When this type of interruption occurs, after carrying out the present instructions, the system is capable of handling it. | When this kind of interruption occurs, the system can save the current status and interrupts the stack, allowing the CPU to handle them. |
| Priority of Tasks | It assists in managing duties with a lesser priority, or the lesser priority jobs can be handled with its assistance. | It assists in managing tasks with greater priority, such as a watchdog timer. |
| Uses | In the interactions with the peripheral devices, a Maskable Interrupt can be utilized. | When something urgent comes up, one can employ a Non-Maskable Interrupt, including smoke detectors, power outages, and several others. |
| Response Time | A Maskable Interrupt reacts more quickly in comparison. | A Non-Maskable Interrupt responds far more quickly than a Maskable one. |
| Vectoring | This interrupt style is both vectored and non-vectored. | Such interruptions of this kind are always vectored in nature. |
| Masked Operation | Operations may be concealed or delayed as a result. | It cannot delay or conceal activities. |
| Examples | RST7.5 and RST6.5 of 8085 are examples of maskable interrupts. | The Trap of 8085 is an excellent example of a Non-Maskable Interrupt |