batch processing

Batch processing is execution of a series of programs ("jobs") on a computer without human interaction.Batch jobs are set up so they can be run to completion without human interaction, so all input data is preselected through scripts or commandline parameters. This is in contrast to interactive programs which prompt the user for such input. Batch processing has these benefits:It allows sharing of computer resources among many users,It shifts the time of job processing to when the computing resources are less busy,It avoids idling the computing resources with minute-by-minute human interaction and supervision, By keeping high overall rate of utilization, it better amortizes the cost of a computer, especially an expensive one.
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1. The processing of data or the accomplishment of jobs accumulated in advance in such a manner that the user cannot further influence the processing while it is in progress. 2. The processing of data accumulated over a period of time. 3. Loosely, the execution of computer programs serially. 4. Pertaining to the technique of executing a set of computer programs such that each is completed before the next program of the set is started. (188 ) 5. Pertaining to the sequential input of computer programs or data.

<programming> A system that takes a set (a "batch") of commands or jobs, executes them and returns the results, all without human intervention. This contrasts with an interactive system where the user's commands and the computer's responses are interleaved during a single run.
A batch system typically takes its commands from a disk file (or a set of punched cards or magnetic tape in the old days) and returns the results to a file (or prints them). Often there is a queue of jobs which the system processes as resources become available.
Since the advent of the personal computer, the term "batch" has come to mean automating frequently performed tasks that would otherwise be done interactively by storing those commands in a "batch file" or "script". Usually this file is read by some kind of command interpreter but batch processing is sometimes used with GUI-based applications that define script equivalents for menu selections and other mouse actions. Such a recorded sequence of GUI actions is sometimes called a "macro". This may only exist in memory and may not be saved to disk whereas a batch normally implies something stored on disk.
(1998-06-26)

The transmission or processing of a group of payment orders and/or securities transfer instructions in batches at discrete intervals of time.
See also
 real-time processing