Choice of processing mode

The choice of a batch processing system or a pseudo real-time system depends on such factors as:

Real time or not

• Whether the information obtained from the system needs to be up-to-date at all times.

The scale of the operation

• Batch systems are well suited to very high volumes of data, when it becomes economical to have an off-line key-to-disk system for data entry.

Cost

• Real-time system is generally more expensive because of the more complex backup and recovery procedures required to cope with power failures or breakdowns in hardware.

Computer usage

• Advantage of a batch system is that it can make use of spare computer capacity overnight or when the computer would otherwise be idle. Batch processing is often carried out on mainframe computers.

Many applications use a combination of batch and interactive processing.

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