The correct answer is C. interrupts.
Interrupts are a way for the processor to be notified when an event has occurred that requires its attention. This can be an event from the user, such as a key press or a mouse click, or it can be an event from an I/O device, such as a disk drive or a network card.
When an interrupt occurs, the processor stops what it is doing and saves its current state. It then transfers control to a special interrupt handler routine. The interrupt handler routine handles the event that caused the interrupt, and then returns control to the processor.
Interrupts are a very efficient way for the processor to handle events. They allow the processor to continue running other tasks while it is waiting for an I/O device to finish its operation.
The other options are incorrect.
- Exceptions are a way for the processor to handle errors. They are similar to interrupts, but they are used for different purposes.
- Signal handling is a way for the processor to handle signals from the operating system. Signals are used to communicate between different processes.
- DMA is a way for the processor to transfer data directly to and from an I/O device without involving the operating system.