Interrupt vs. Abort — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on May 2, 2024
"Interrupt" suggests temporarily pausing an ongoing process, while "abort" refers to completely terminating it.
Difference Between Interrupt and Abort
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Interrupt" generally implies a temporary stoppage or disturbance in a process, allowing for later resumption. Whereas "abort" denotes the complete and permanent cessation of an activity, often before it concludes naturally.
In computing, an interrupt can occur when a process is temporarily halted to attend to a different, possibly more urgent task, while an abort happens when a program or operation is stopped entirely due to errors or user choice.
In daily language, to interrupt someone speaking is to momentarily pause the conversation, on the other hand, to abort a plan means to cancel it outright.
This distinction is crucial in areas like aviation and healthcare, where the implications of interrupting versus aborting procedures can be significant. The choice between using interrupt or abort depends on whether the interruption is meant to be a pause or an end.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Temporarily halt an ongoing process.
Completely terminate a process prematurely.
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Duration
Temporary, with intention to resume.
Permanent, no resumption intended.
Usage Context
Computing, conversations, operations.
Computing, plans, medical procedures.
Implication
Pause that anticipates a continuation.
Termination without future continuation.
Common Associations
Interruptions in service, tasks.
Abortion of mission, termination of tasks.
Compare with Definitions
Interrupt
Temporarily cease or discontinue.
The operation was interrupted by a power failure.
Abort
Discontinue support for an ongoing project.
Funding issues forced them to abort the development.
Interrupt
Stop the continuous progress of an activity or process.
The sudden blackout interrupted the concert.
Abort
End a task using an abort command.
The pilot had to abort the takeoff.
Interrupt
Break the continuity of a process or condition.
He interrupted his study session to answer the phone.
Abort
Bring to a premature end.
The mission was aborted due to technical difficulties.
Interrupt
Cause a disruption in an ongoing activity.
Bad weather interrupted their travel plans.
Abort
Cease continuation in a planned activity.
Due to rain, the game was aborted in the third inning.
Interrupt
Interject in a conversation.
She often interrupts others during meetings.
Abort
Terminate a process or activity before completion.
He decided to abort the installation after encountering several errors.
Interrupt
In digital computers, an interrupt is a response by the processor to an event that needs attention from the software. An interrupt condition alerts the processor and serves as a request for the processor to interrupt the currently executing code when permitted, so that the event can be processed in a timely manner.
Abort
To terminate (a pregnancy) by abortion.
Interrupt
To break the continuity or uniformity of
Rain interrupted our baseball game.
Abort
To cause the expulsion of (an embryo or fetus) by abortion.
Interrupt
To stop (someone engaged in an activity) by saying or doing something
The baby interrupted me while I was on the phone.
Abort
To undergo the abortion of (an embryo or fetus).
Interrupt
To cause an activity to stop by saying or doing something.
Abort
To miscarry (an embryo or fetus).
Interrupt
A signal to a computer that stops the execution of a running program so that another action can be performed.
Abort
To terminate (an undertaking or procedure) before implementation or completion
Abort the launch of a rocket.
Abort a computer program.
Interrupt
A circuit that conveys a signal stopping the execution of a running program.
Abort
To stop the progress of (a disease, for example).
Interrupt
(ambitransitive) To disturb or halt (an ongoing process or action, or the person performing it) by interfering suddenly.
A maverick politician repeatedly interrupted the debate by shouting.
Abort
To miscarry.
Interrupt
(transitive) To divide; to separate; to break the monotony of.
The evenness of the road was not interrupted by a single hill.
Abort
To cease growth before full development or maturation.
Interrupt
To assert to (a computer) that an exceptional condition must be handled.
The packet receiver circuit interrupted the microprocessor.
Abort
To terminate an undertaking or procedure before implementation or completion.
Interrupt
An event that causes a computer or other device to temporarily cease what it was doing and attend to a condition.
The interrupt caused the packet handler routine to run.
Abort
The act of aborting an undertaking or procedure.
Interrupt
To break into, or between; to stop, or hinder by breaking in upon the course or progress of; to interfere with the current or motion of; to cause a temporary cessation of; as, to interrupt the remarks of anyone speaking.
Do not interrupt me in my course.
Abort
An early termination of a mission, action, or procedure in relation to missiles or spacecraft; the craft making such a mission.
We've had aborts on three of our last seven launches.
Interrupt
To divide; to separate; to break the monotony of; as, the evenness of the road was not interrupted by a single hill.
Abort
(computing) The function used to abort a process.
Interrupt
Broken; interrupted.
Abort
(computing) An event in which a process is aborted.
We've had three aborts over the last two days.
Interrupt
Make a break in;
We interrupt the program for the following messages
Abort
The product of a miscarriage; an aborted offspring; an abortion.
Interrupt
Destroy the peace or tranquility of;
Don't interrupt me when I'm reading
Abort
(obsolete) A miscarriage; an untimely birth; an abortion.
Interrupt
Interfere in someone else's activity;
Please don't interrupt me while I'm on the phone
Abort
To miscarry; to bring forth (non-living) offspring prematurely.
Interrupt
Terminate;
She interrupted her pregnancy
Break a lucky streak
Break the cycle of poverty
Abort
To cause a premature termination of (a fetus); to end a pregnancy before term.
Abort
(transitive) To end prematurely; to stop in the preliminary stages; to turn back.
Abort
(intransitive) To stop or fail at something in the preliminary stages.
Abort
To become checked in normal development, so as either to remain rudimentary or shrink away wholly; to cease organic growth before maturation; to become sterile.
Abort
To cause an organism to develop minimally; to cause rudimentary development to happen; to prevent maturation.
Abort
To abandon a mission at any point after the beginning of the mission and prior to its completion.
Abort
To terminate a mission involving a missile or rocket; to destroy a missile or rocket prematurely.
Abort
To terminate a process prior to completion.
Abort
To miscarry; to bring forth young prematurely.
Abort
To become checked in normal development, so as either to remain rudimentary or shrink away wholly; to become sterile.
Abort
To stop, cease, or fail prior to normal completion.
Abort
To cause (an action or process) to stop at an early stage, or before normal completion; as, to abort a rocket flight.
Abort
An untimely birth.
Abort
An aborted offspring.
Abort
Terminate before completion;
Abort the mission
Abort the process running on my computer
Abort
Terminate a pregnancy by undergoing an abortion
Common Curiosities
Are interrupts harmful to computer systems?
Interrupts are not typically harmful and are a normal part of computer operation, managing tasks efficiently.
Is it rude to interrupt someone speaking?
Interrupting can be considered rude, especially if done frequently or without a significant reason.
What typically causes an abort in medical procedures?
Medical procedures are aborted due to complications, patient instability, or unexpected risk factors.
Can an interrupted process always be resumed?
Most interrupted processes can be resumed, but it depends on the context and nature of the interruption.
What does it mean to abort a mission?
To abort a mission means to end it prematurely, often due to unforeseen problems or safety concerns.
What is the difference between interrupting and aborting a computer process?
Interrupting a computer process pauses it temporarily, often resuming later, whereas aborting completely terminates the process.
When should one decide to abort a plan?
One should consider aborting a plan if continuing with it poses risks, or if fundamental objectives can no longer be achieved.
How do pilots decide to abort a takeoff?
Pilots may abort a takeoff if there are safety concerns, mechanical issues, or other critical disruptions.
Can aborting a process ever be reversed?
Once a process is aborted, it typically cannot be reversed and must be restarted or reconsidered entirely.
What are the ethical considerations in deciding to abort a project?
Ethical considerations include the impact on stakeholders, potential waste of resources, and the consequences of discontinuing the project.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
