What is a batch job?

A batch job is a computer program or set of programs processed in batch mode. This means that a sequence of commands to be executed by the operating system is listed in a file (often called a batch file, command file, or shell script) and is submitted for execution as a single unit. The opposite of a batch job is interactive processing, in which users enter individual commands to be processed immediately.

In many cases, batch jobs accumulate during working hours and are then executed during the evening or another time the computer is idle. This is often the best way to run programs that place heavy demands on the computer.

Also see:

• In Unix, how should I submit CPU-intensive jobs?
• In Unix, how do I cancel a batch job?
• How do I run stat/math jobs, including SAS and SPSS, under AIX LoadLeveler?
• In Unix, how do I avoid stty errors when I submit batch jobs?
• In Unix, what are at and batch, and how do I use them to submit non-interactive job requests?
• In Unix, how can I issue batches of non-interactive FTP commands?
• Big Red usage policies
• Libra usage policies
• Using LoadLeveler on Libra at IU