Real-time information system

1. In the case of information systems: processing data in synchronism with a physical process in such a fashion that results of data processing are immediately useful to the physical operation.

2. Capability of an information system to provide a basis for making a decision in synchronism with an on-going management process in such a way that the decision has the expected impact upon the course of events.

3. Capability of controlling an environment by receiving data, processing them, and returning results sufficiently quickly to affect the functioning of the environment at that time.

4. Operation in real-time is achieved when the time required for solution of a problem is equal to or less than the time available for action on it.