Option: Transaction Processing Systems

3 dot points across 3 inquiry questions, in syllabus order. Each dot point has a focused answer, with exam-style questions and worked answers where available.

How does a transaction processing system keep data correct when many users transact at once, and what issues does it raise?

Describe data integrity and concurrency control in transaction processing systems, and the social and ethical issues they raise, including bias in data, the changing nature of work and the move to online and data warehousing

Data integrity, concurrency and issues in transaction processing systems. Locking, validation, bias, the changing nature of work and data warehousing trends, with the traps markers look for.

6 min read →

What are the characteristics of a transaction processing system and how does batch processing differ from real time processing?

Describe the characteristics of transaction processing systems and compare batch processing with real time processing, including data integrity and recovery

Transaction processing systems. Batch versus real time processing, data integrity, validation, backup and recovery, and the traps markers look for.

6 min read →

How does a transaction processing system store and retrieve high volumes of transaction data reliably?

Describe storing and retrieving in transaction processing systems, including the data storage hierarchy, updating master files from transaction files, backup and recovery, and processing logs

Storage and retrieval in transaction processing systems. Master and transaction files, updating, backup and recovery, and processing logs, with the traps markers look for.

6 min read →