Batch process

Batch processing is a method of executing computer programs in which multiple tasks, also known as jobs, are processed in bulk at the same time without manual intervention. The term originated in the early days of mainframe computers, where users would submit jobs in batches, often overnight, to be processed during off-peak hours.

History

The concept of batch processing dates back to the late 1950s and early 1960s when computer systems were large and expensive. Users would prepare their jobs on punched cards or magnetic tape and submit them to the computer operators for processing. The results would be available the next day.

Process

In a batch processing system, jobs are collected and grouped together. These jobs are then processed one after the other without any user interaction. The processing of these jobs is managed by a job scheduler. The job scheduler manages the sequence and order of the jobs based on their priority and the resources required to execute them.

Batch processing is particularly useful for operations that require heavy computing resources, such as large-scale data analysis and complex scientific computations. It is also used in routine tasks such as billing, payroll processing, and database updates.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Batch processing has several advantages. It allows for efficient use of resources as jobs with similar requirements can be grouped together. It also reduces the need for human intervention, thus reducing the risk of errors.

However, batch processing also has its disadvantages. It can lead to delays in processing as jobs have to wait for their turn. Also, if a job fails, it can cause a delay in the processing of subsequent jobs.

Modern Usage

In modern computing, batch processing is still widely used. It is commonly used in data warehousing, big data analytics, and large-scale machine learning tasks. Many cloud computing platforms offer batch processing services.

See Also

• Real-time processing
• Time-sharing
• Multiprocessing
• Parallel computing