The JSR instruction prompts the processor to run which type of program?

The JSR instruction, which stands for "Jump to SubRoutine," is specifically designed to instruct the processor to execute a subroutine. A subroutine is a set of instructions that performs a specific task and can be called by other programs or routines, allowing for code reusability and modular programming.

When the JSR instruction is executed, the processor saves its current state (i.e., the address of the next instruction after the JSR) to a stack or a designated memory location. This allows the program to return to this point after the subroutine has finished executing. Subroutines are beneficial in reducing redundancy in code and making programs easier to manage and understand.

The other options refer to other types of program control mechanisms. A Main Routine is the primary sequence of commands executed in a program; an Interrupt Routine is triggered by specific events that require immediate attention, often interrupting the main program flow; a Background Task involves tasks that run concurrently with a main program but are not directly initiated by a JSR. Therefore, the JSR instruction’s primary purpose is to call subroutines, making the choice of subroutine the correct answer.