When to Schedule Online and Off-line Processing

Typically online processing is performed throughout the day, and off-line (or batch) processes are performed at night, when the system is not required to process online transactions.  Scheduling batch jobs during off hours ensures that they do not exclusively lock records that are required for online and asynchronous tasks.  It also ensures that system resources are devoted to critical online functions rather than running reports.

Recovery management provides another reason for segregating online and off-line processing.  The recovery management programs cannot roll back a mixture of online and off-line transactions.  Consequently, you should recover any failed off-line transactions before beginning online processing.  Similarly, you should recover any failed online transactions before beginning off-line processing at the end of the day.

In general, the following procedure should be followed each day.  These procedures are described in detail in the remainder of this chapter.

1.   End off-line processing from the previous evening.  At this time, you should check for and recover any failed off-line transactions.

2.   Power down and power up.

3.   Start online processing by initiating all asynchronous monitors.  Monitors are initiated by AUTOSTART or through the Initiate/Cancel Monitors option on the MAC-PAC Processing Menu.

4.   At the end of the day, end online processing.  Check for and recover any failed online transactions.

5.   Start off-line processing by submitting/releasing all pending batch jobs through the MAC-PAC menus.

Note:    You may be able to run some batch (off-line) jobs even if the monitors are active.  In general, the batch job can be processed providing that it does not exclusively lock records that are in use.