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Real-time control

Real-time is a mode of operation where data received by the computer is immediately processed, stored data is updated and any necessary actions taken.

The computer used in a real-time system is dedicated - it does nothing else.

Examples:

An example of a real-time system is a Process-Control System. 

Input data received from sensors is processed immediately, analysed and any necessary actions taken without any delay.

Many  modern manufacturing processes are real-time systems controlled by computers.

 
Other examples would be 
  • a flight simulator.
  • a computer guided missile
  • air traffic control system