Which type of program facilitates real-time online transactions?

Online transaction processing (OLTP) is specifically designed to facilitate real-time online transactions. OLTP systems enable users to execute transactions quickly and efficiently, often involving multiple operations that must be processed in a timely manner. This kind of system supports a high volume of short online transactions and allows for immediate processing, ensuring that the data is continually updated without delay.

For example, when a customer makes a purchase on an e-commerce website, the transaction is captured and processed immediately through an OLTP system, which adjusts inventory levels, updates financial records, and provides a confirmation to the customer—all in real time.

In contrast, data management software is more about organizing, storing, and retrieving data rather than handling transactions immediately. Batch processing software processes data in large groups or batches at scheduled times, making it less suitable for environments that require instantaneous transaction processing. Business intelligence software is geared toward analyzing and reporting data rather than processing transactions, focusing instead on helping businesses understand trends and make decisions based on the data collected.

Thus, the correct answer emphasizes the role of OLTP in enabling immediate and efficient transaction handling, which is essential for many businesses operating in today’s digital environment.