In [[computing]], a '''programmable interrupt controller''' ('''PIC''') is a device that ishelps used[[microprocessor]] to(or combine[[CPU]]) severalto sources ofhandle [[Interrupt request (PC architecture)|interrupt requests]] onto(IRQ) onecoming orfrom moremultiple [[CPU]]different lines,sources while(like allowingexternal priorityI/O levelsdevices) towhich bemay assignedcome to(get itsfired) interrupt outputssimultaneously.<ref>{{Cite Whenweb|title=Interrupt theController device- hasan multipleoverview {{!}} ScienceDirect Topics|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/interrupt-controller|access-date=2020-07-26|website=www.sciencedirect.com}}</ref> outputsIt helps to assert,prioritize itIRQs assertsso themthat inCPU switches to the ordermost ofappropriate their[[interrupt handler]] (ISR) after PIC assertes IRQ's relative priority. Common modes of a PIC include hard priorities, rotating priorities, and cascading priorities.{{Citation needed|date=July 2011}} PICs often allow the cascading of their outputs to inputs between each other. On [[PC architecture]] PIC are typically ebedded into a [[Southbridge (computing)|southbridge chips]] whose internal architecture is defined by chipsets' vendors' standards.
