batch-processing
An early mode of computer operation where numerous requests were collected and processed sequentially without direct user interaction.
2 chapters across 1 book
Man and the Computer (1972)John G. Kemeny
This chapter discusses the evolution of the relationship between humans and computers, focusing on the shift from batch processing to time-sharing systems during the 1960s. It highlights how early computers were scarce and expensive, limiting direct interaction to a select few, and how time-sharing enabled a more immediate, symbiotic interaction between humans and machines. The author emphasizes the potential for combining human intuition with computer memory and learning capabilities to solve complex problems more effectively.
The chapter contrasts batch processing with time-sharing systems in computer use, highlighting the inefficiency and frustration batch processing caused for human users despite its machine efficiency. It introduces time-sharing as a solution that allows multiple users to interact with a computer simultaneously and privately, greatly improving user experience and enabling more effective man-machine communication. The Dartmouth Time-Sharing System is mentioned as a pioneering example of this technology.