How to Answer: What is an interrupt in the context of a computer system?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Plaid job interview.
2. What is an interrupt in the context of a computer system?
How to Answer
As a technical support engineer, you are expected to be intimately familiar with how a computer system functions. You should know about each component, its purpose, and its relationship to the other components. You should also know about the processes used to operate a computer and the common applications users in your organization employ. Refreshing yourself on these technologies and their functions will help you be better prepared. Practicing interview questions like these will also assist you in formulating answers on the fly during the interview with Plaid.
Answer Example
"The central processing unit or CPU is the brain of a computer. Each component of the system typically needs to interact with the CPU to complete a task. Since the CPU has a finite capacity, the mechanism used by the components to gain the CPU's attention is called an interrupt. This is a signal sent by the component to the CPU asking for its assistance."