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Reference.org
Asynchronous system trap
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<p>Asynchronous system trap (AST) refers to a mechanism used in several computer <a href="/facts/Operating_system/8XTuvMh2">operating systems</a> designed by the former <a href="/facts/Digital_Equipment_Corporation/ztxs6keA">Digital Equipment Corporation</a> (DEC) of <a href="/facts/Maynard%2c_Massachusetts/UR2v2fnL">Maynard</a>, <a href="/facts/Massachusetts/9uumCbFI">Massachusetts</a>. The mechanism is a method for executing <a href="/facts/Subroutines/9vFJrg0A">subroutines</a> outside of the main <a href="/facts/Thread_(computing)/hh8WHyPd">thread</a> of execution. </p>