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.