Batch Processing

Batch processing is a technique of performing computer operations in which a number of tasks are submitted at one time and executed without human intervention. It means that all the tasks are performed without any intervention of the user and one after the other. Batch processing is widely used in software development for processing a large amount of data and to automate processes of web and mobile applications.

How Batch Processing is Used in Software Development

Batch processing is especially beneficial for the activities that are repetitive or require a lot of computation but the results are not required immediately. Examples of the tasks are data backup, database maintenance, report generation and processing of transactions among others. Batch processing is helpful in these tasks since they can be carried out in off-peak hours thus not affecting system performance and usability.

Advantages of Batch Processing

A major strength of batch processing is that it is faster than other methods of processing. When tasks are grouped into batches, it helps the system to handle a huge amount of data with fewer resources hence enhancing the performance of the system. This approach also minimizes the time and effort that the user has to spend in order to perform manual intervention which in turn minimizes the chances of errors that are likely to occur in the course of handling the data manually.

Challenges of Batch Processing

However, there are some disadvantages of batch processing which can be stated as follows. The major disadvantage is the time factor, since batch jobs are not processed on real-time basis, but at certain predetermined intervals. This can be a problem especially in a time when quick answers are required. Also, the creation and fine-tuning of batch processes can be a very time-consuming and labour-intensive process.

Conclusion

Batch processing is one of the essentials of automation in today’s software systems. It facilitates the management of large data sets and accomplishment of complex operations with a low consumption of resources. Although there are disadvantages to batch processing, if properly used it can bring maximal working performance to your software solutions.

‍