Online Transaction Processing
Online transaction processing (OLTP) is a type of database system used in transaction-oriented applications, such as many operational systems. “Online” refers to that such systems are expected to respond to user requests and process them in real-time (process transactions). The term is contrasted with online analytical processing (OLAP) which instead focuses on data analysis (for example planning and management systems).
OLTP systems use a relational database that can do the following:
- Process a large number of relatively simple transactions — usually insertions, updates and deletions to data.
- Enable multi-user access to the same data, while ensuring data integrity.
- Support very rapid processing, with response times measured in milliseconds.
- Provide indexed data sets for rapid searching, retrieval and querying.
- Be available 24/7/365, with constant incremental backups.
Use
OLTP has also been used to refer to processing in which the system responds immediately to user requests. An automated teller machine (ATM) for a bank is an example of a commercial transaction processing application. Online transaction processing applications have high throughput and are insert- or update-intensive in database management. These applications are used concurrently by hundreds of users. The key goals of OLTP applications are availability, speed, concurrency and recoverability (durability).
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