The most valuable benefits of batch jobs include: They are used to process high volumes of data that would normally consume long-term memory if run in the foreground. This makes sense because batch jobs are provided with more allocated memory than those performed in the foreground. In some computer systems, batch jobs run in the background while interactive programs run in the foreground, giving these interactive programs priority over batch programs. Jobs that happen on a regular basis are incorporated into batch schedules. If the job queue contains many jobs waiting to be processed, the system processes the jobs either in chronological order or by priority.īatch jobs are frequently used to automate tasks that need to be performed on a regular basis, like payroll, but don’t necessarily need to occur during the day or have an employee interacted with the system. Once the batch job is submitted, the job enters into a queue where it waits until the system is ready to process the job. Batch jobs are often queued up during working hours, then executed during the evening or weekend when the computer is idle. In the simplest terms, a batch job is a scheduled program that is assigned to run on a computer without further user interaction. With this in mind, we have put together this introduction to batching and batch jobs, with a focus on how they’ll maintain their value for enterprises and employee workflows. Whether for routine organizational processes, like payroll, or to keep servers from being tied up during the workday, batch jobs will be essential for years to come. At its core, though, background processing will never die. The definition and usage of batching has undergone changes in recent years, and we are finding new ways to perform these tasks. The user would give a batch of these programmed cards to the system operator, who would then feed them into the computer.
The term ‘batch job’ originated in the days of mainframe computers when users entered programs onto punch cards.