Wolmer’s
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (GENERAL PROFICIENCY)
Grade: 11 Teacher: Mrs. McCallum-Rodney
INFORMATION PROCESSING MODES
The Information Processing Modes to be discussed are as follows:
- Batch Processing
- Interactive Processing
- On-Line Processing
- Real-Time Processing
BATCH PROCESSING
A batch processing system is one where programs and data are collected together in a batch before processing starts.
Each piece of work for a batch processing system is called a job. A job usually consists of a program and the data to be run.
Jobs are stored in job queues until the computer is ready to process them.
There is no interaction between the user and the computer while the program is being run. In batch processing, a whole series of instructions are executed without stopping for input from the user.
Computers which do batch processing often operate at night.
Example : Payroll - when a company calculates the wages for its workforce and prints payslips.
Interactive Processing
In computer science, interactive computing refers to software which accepts input from humans — for example, data or commands. Interactive software includes most popular programs, such as word processors or spreadsheet applications. By comparison, non-interactive programs operate without human contact; examples of these include compilers and batch processing applications.
In interactive processing, the user communicates with the computer while the program is running, perhaps giving instructions for each item.
It is the performance of tasks on a computer system that involves continual exchange of information between the computer and a user.
Interactive computing involves two-way communication between a user and a computer - a bit like a conversation. The prompts of the computer are responded to by inputs from the user.
Most applications run on microcomputers are interactive.
Interactive processing examples:
- Word processing
- Computer game
- Entering data in a database
ONLINE PROCESSING
REAL TIME PROCESSING
Real-time operating systems are designed to respond to an event within a predetermined time. These types of operating systems are found within environments where computers are responsible for controlling systems.
For Example:
Robotics, manufacturing, special military applications.