Batch processing is a method of data processing where information is collected over a specific period and then processed simultaneously as a larger batch. Unlike real-time data processing, operations are performed according to a set schedule or after a sufficient amount of data has been accumulated.
Batch processing is based on several key assumptions:
- processing large datasets in a single cycle,
- performing operations at specific intervals,
- automating repetitive data processing tasks,
- efficient use of computing resources,
- the ability to process data without the need for immediate results.
Batch processing is used, among other things, for generating reports, processing transactional data, updating data warehouses, and implementing ETL and ELT processes. It is particularly effective where data does not need to be analyzed immediately after its creation.