OLTP (Online Transaction Processing)

We can divide IT systems into transactional (OLTP) and analytical (OLAP) systems.

OLTP stands for OnLine Transaction Processing. OLTP is a class of program that facilitates and manages transaction-oriented applications.

The classic examples for transaction-oriented applications are airline reservations, credit-card authorizations, ATMwithdrawals, and so on.

Queries of OLTP systems are typically simple and return relatively few records.

The main emphasis for OLTP systems is put on very fast query processing, maintaining data integrity in multi-access environments and an effectiveness measured by number of transactions per second

Transaction and data recovery is paramount for OLTP systems since they deal with current business data used to conduct real-time business operations

Similarly, OLTP systems are often decentralized to avoid single points of failure. This can also help spread volume over multiple servers to maximum the volume transaction processing possible and minimize response times.

Operational data is the data you use to run your business. This data is what is typically stored, retrieved, and updated by your Online Transactional Processing (OLTP) system.

The structure of OLTP databases are highly normalized which means tables and fields are organized to minimize data redundancy and dependency

But this doesn’t lend itself to efficient processing of complex queries. More complex querying is typically run against historical data stores which are classified as OLAP systems (On-Line Analytical Processing) or Data Warehouses.

In general we can assume that OLTP systems provide source data to data warehouses, whereas OLAP systems help to analyze it

Following are the characteristic of operational system:

•Continuous availability

•Transaction integrity

•High volume of transaction

•Low data volume per query

•Is used by operational staff

•Supports day to day control operations

•Supports large number of users

Examples for OLTP Queries:

    What is the Salary of Mr.John?

    What is the address and email id of the person who is the head of maths department?