Introduction

This episode we are looking at a ghost of bygone days: batch processing! Before fancy terminals peppered computer rooms, before there was a microcomputer on every desk, there was the batch. In this non-interactive form of computing a user could wait hours, days, or even weeks to get a chance at computer time. Machines were kept well away from programmers, guarded by digital clerics. Why did such an arrangement exist? And did it ultimately help the programmer?   Selected Sources:   https://multicians.org/thvv/compatible-time-sharing-system.pdf - Compatible Timesharing System, 15th Anniversary   https://sci-hub.se/10.1109/MAHC.1983.10026 - Rykman on GM-NAA I/O   https://ethw.org/First-Hand:Operating_System_Roots - Operating System Roots