What does the acronym OLTP stand for in database management?

The acronym OLTP stands for Online Transaction Processing. This term is widely used in database management and refers to a class of software applications that facilitate and manage transaction-oriented applications, typically for data entry and retrieval transaction processing.

OLTP systems are designed to efficiently process a large volume of short online transactions — this means they are optimized for quick query processing and maintaining data integrity in multi-access environments. A key characteristic of OLTP systems is their ability to handle real-time data processing, which is critical for applications such as banking, order entry, and retail sales, where timely responses to transaction requests are essential.

These systems are contrasted with other data processing types, such as batch processing, which processes transactions in groups rather than individually in real time. The "online" aspect indicates that transactions are processed immediately as they occur, providing users with instant feedback and results.

By incorporating features such as concurrency control and transaction logging, OLTP ensures that transactions are completed accurately and securely, adhering to the principles of ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability). Understanding OLTP is crucial for anyone involved in database management as it underpins a significant proportion of business applications used today.