both CLIC and CLINT seems to be used for the same thing

[kaddkaka]

Two abbreviations seem to be used for "Core-Local Interrupt Controller"

CLINT is the only one mentioned in the Terminology table at the top here: https://github.com/riscv/riscv-platform-specs/blob/main/riscv-platform-spec.adoc#terminology

The specifications linked are:

• CLIC: https://github.com/riscv/riscv-fast-interrupt/blob/master/clic.adoc
• ACLINT: https://github.com/riscv/riscv-aclint/releases/download/v1.0-draft2/riscv-aclint-1.0-draft2.pdf

Can/Should this be made more cohesive? CLIC seems more in line with PLIC.

[atishp04]

No. CLIC is not inline with PLIC apart from the name. CLIC is aimed for microcontroller class systems. That's why, it is an option for M platform. ACLINT provides the local interrupts that high end systems capable of running Rich OS i.e. Linux require. Timer, IPI (both S-mode & M-mode).

That's why, ACLINT is an option in OS-A platform but not in M platform

[kumarsankaran]

Can we close this issue or is there anything else to discuss on this topic?

[kaddkaka]

Ok thanks. What is the difference between ACLINT and CLINT?

It can probably be closed (it might just be confusing for me) ...

[kumarsankaran]

The difference between ACLINT and CLINT is described in Section 1 Introduction of the ACLINT spec here https://github.com/riscv/riscv-aclint/blob/main/riscv-aclint.adoc. I am closing this PR. Please reopen if there are still more questions.