batch processing

computing

Also known as: batch mode

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Last updated

July 16, 2026

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Batch processing in computing refers to the execution of a series of jobs or programs on a computer without manual intervention. These jobs are collected and processed as a group, or "batch," and their results are obtained later. This contrasts with time-sharing systems where users interact with the computer in real-time. Data processing itself involves the manipulation of data by a computer, including converting raw data, processing it through the CPU and memory, and formatting the output. Batch processing is a method of performing this data manipulation by grouping tasks together for efficient execution.123

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Time-sharing from Project MAC to UNIX
Batch processing was the normal mode of operating computers at the time: a user handed a deck of punched cards to an operator, who fed them to the machine, and an hour or more later the printed output would be made available for pickup. Licklider’s…
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Batch processing was the normal mode of operating computers at the time: a user handed a deck of punched cards to an operator, who fed them to the machine, and an hour or more later the printed output would be made available for pickup. Licklider’s…
Read More