The term “Batch Processing,” is defined in computer science as a process of processing a data set (transactions) in a group or batch.
In “Batch Processing,” no user interaction is required once the processing itself is initiated.
This factor differentiates this type of processing, from single transaction processing, which instead requires user interaction.
Batch processing, although widely used even today, mostly involves older systems and older computers.
In fact, its origin dates back to the period of punch card programming, when, programmers not having direct access to computers, created programs offline.
Today, this process is mainly used in some processes to reduce and optimise human intervention. Batch systems, in fact, continue to have undoubted advantages, such as:
- Optimising the exploitation of computers, particularly mainframes and supercomputers;
- Amortisation of the costs of implementing and managing a program.
In fact, batch processing allows administrators to plan the time of use of computing resources, thus ensuring maximum utilisation and minimal downtime.
Finally, a batch system is less redundant than more traditional systems because it keeps the same program running until the data have been fully processed.
