Describing time-dependent (real-time) data communications; a user enters data & waits for response from the destination before continuing; also, conversational; contrast with batch processing.

Processing that involves the more or less continuous participation of the user; the command/response mode characteristic of microcomputers.

A computer system where a person can communicate directly with the machine by means of a terminal. The user enters commands which are immediately executed by the computer which sends the results of the command directly back to the user. See also Batch processing.

In a computer system, the process of interacting directly with a program and/or data for immediately modifying, re­triev­ing and/or displaying information. This is usually done on a com­puter screen. Complementary term: batch processing.

A processing method in which each system user action causes response from the program or the system. Contrast with batch processing.

The method of data processing by which the operator views preliminary results and can alter the instructions to the computer to achieve optimum results.

A processing method in which each operator action causes a response from the program or system.