Types of Processing

Types of Processing

1. Batch Processing

   • Data is collected together in a group of batch before processing takes place.
   • Transaction files store the jobs in queues until the computer system is ready to start processing.
   • When the job is run, the data held in the transaction file is used to update the master file. The master file is stored on disk and stays the same until any updating stakes place by a new transaction file.
   • While running the program there is no interaction between computer and user. This allows for overnight jobs to be completed using spare capacity in the ICT system.
   • Backing up is fairly simple and can be done after each new job is run.
   • Best suited to regular jobs that happen at scheduled times and involve large quantities of data, such as a payroll system - all the wages are calculated and the payslips are output.
   • Because of the time available, batch processing tend to have strong error-checking features built in, and so the information produced tends to be extremely accurate.

2. Interactive Processing

   • In this type of processing there is interaction between the ICT system and the user. the user reacts to prompts from the computer and the computer uses these prompts to process data. Many computer systems in the modern world work this way.
   • Example - a student queries their record in the college library database to see if they have exceeded the maximum number of books they can takes out. The reply comes up on screen immediately which means they know whether or not they can take out another book.
   • The interaction occurs in real time and the input-process-output is controlled by the user: -the computer is available to receive the input from the user. -the data is processed at the time it is input and output is also immediate.

3. Transaction Processing

   • Transaction processing allows many users to access and update a system at apparently the same time. Each transaction must be completed before the next transaction is begun.
   • The main aim of a transaction processing system is to be able to work quickly with large amount of different transactions taking place, sometimes from many different users.
   • Example - A travel booking system or when purchasing cinema tickets using the ICT booking system.