What defines an Operational or Transactional (OLTP) workload?

An Operational or Transactional (OLTP) workload is characterized by a high number of real-time transactions that involve reading and writing small amounts of data. The defining feature of OLTP systems is their capacity to handle a significant number of low-latency operations per second, which makes them ideal for applications requiring immediate responses. This responsiveness is crucial for scenarios such as online banking, order processing, and customer relationship management, where users expect quick transactions.

In contrast, other characteristics do not align with the OLTP definition. For example, a focus on large volume data analysis relates more to Online Analytical Processing (OLAP), which is geared towards handling complex queries across large datasets, rather than the quick transactions typical of OLTP. Batch processing is also not representative of OLTP, as it involves processing data in groups after the fact, instead of in real time. Similarly, reporting is a function typically associated with OLAP systems rather than OLTP, as OLTP systems are aimed at facilitating rapid ongoing transactions rather than aggregating data for analysis.