Online vs Batch Program
Batch Processing System:
An Batch processing system handles large amounts of data which processed on a routine schedule. Processing occurs when the after the economic event occurs and recorded. It requires fewer programming, hardware, and training resources. In this system programs are scheduled through jobs. It allows sharing of programs and files.
Examples includes Inventory query, website shopping transaction, e-Banking account withdrawal etc.
Advantages:
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Manages large repeated work easily.
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Repeated jobs are done fast.
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Batch systems can work offline.
Disadvantages:
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Difficult to debug batch systems
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Sometimes costly
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Waits for unknown time if error occurs with any job
Online Processing System:
An online processing system handles transactions in real time and provides the output instantly. When any economic event takes place then the processing occurs. It requires more number of dedicated hardware resources, processing elements are required. In this system programs are initiated through transactions. It does not allow sharing of programs and files.
Examples includes are month end tax calculation, data transformation, data analysis, data transformation etc.
Advantages:
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Useful for online money transactions
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Useful in online shopping
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Support and stability
Disadvantages:
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Millions of requests sometimes becomes difficult to handle
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lots of staff required to maintain inventory
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Hardware problems create big trouble
How Online programs differs from batch programs?
| Batch System | Online System | |
|---|---|---|
| Input | Data from card, tape, disk. In Batch, Sequential, Scheduled. E.g. Keypunch, Data Coding. | Data from terminal. Random, concurrent. Can be entered as data arrive. |
| Update Of file | Reserved during a job. Other jobs have to wait. | Concurrent. Instant. |
| File Input/Output | Input/Output must be in sequence | Input/Output can be concurrent |
| Output | Printed reports, output files | Messages thrown to console, Updated files System log, Reports. |
| Start of job | Operator (or OS) initiates job | Entering Trans-ID triggers the transaction |
| Process mode | Single task & thread Priority in job scheduling | Multitask & Multithread Priority processing |
| End of job | Each job | Each transaction |
| Turn-around | Usually much longer | Almost Instantaneous |
| Resources | Less Usage | More Usage |
| Application | Monthly Sales Report | Airline Reservation |
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