Batch, real-time and transaction processing

Overview

Batch processing, real-time processing and real-time control systems.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   What is batch processing?

   Model answer

   Batch processing collects transactions together over a period and processes the whole group in a single run, with nobody present while the run takes place.

2. 2

   Why is batch work often scheduled overnight?

   Model answer

   A batch run makes heavy demands on the processor and the files, so running it while the system is otherwise idle avoids slowing down the people using it by day.

3. 3

   Give two examples of work well suited to batch processing.

   Model answer

   Payroll and utility billing are two examples well suited to batch processing.

4. 4

   Why is payroll a good fit for batch processing?

   Model answer

   Payroll runs to a fixed timetable on data gathered over the whole month, and nobody needs an answer at the moment a single timesheet is handed in.

5. 5

   State one drawback of batch processing.

   Model answer

   Files in a batch system are only up to date immediately after a run, so an enquiry made between runs is answered from data that may be hours or days old.

6. 6

   How are faulty records handled during a batch run?

   Model answer

   A batch run writes rejected records to an error report to be corrected and resubmitted, because no operator is present to put them right as they occur.

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