Advanced Interrupt Controller (APIC)

The Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controller (APIC) is a hardware component in modern computers that manages how the CPU handles multiple hardware signals called interrupts. Interrupts are alerts from devices like keyboards or network cards asking for attention. The APIC efficiently directs these signals to the correct processor core, enabling smooth and quick responses, especially in multi-core systems. It supports advanced features like prioritizing interrupts and managing multiple processors, which help improve overall system performance and stability during complex computing tasks.