Background processing workflow
TerraBatch is usually launched when a task is started in TerraScan, TerraPhoto or TerraMatch.
The TerraDispatcher window opens and shows the progress of the process.
In the background, TerraBatch performs the following actions:
1. The Terrasolid Application that starts the task writes a task file (*.TSK) into the \TASK folder of the TerraBatch installation directory on the master computer, for example C:\TERRA64\TBATCH\TASK. The task file is a text file consisting of all information that is required for TerraBatch to perform the task. The task file is named automatically according to the point of time when it is created. The name structure is <DATE>_<TIME>.TSK, for example 20200523_093349.tsk.
In addition, two more text files related to the task file are created:
o<DATE>_<TIME>_computers.txt - list of computers for processing as set in the Batch computers category of TerraScan Settings or in the TerraBatch Task Settings dialog of the Macro window of TerraScan
o<DATE>_<TIME>_segments.txt - list of working segments to be processed including the path to the task file.
2. TerraDispatcher checks the participating computers. Working segments are dispatched until the maximum number of instances allowed for TerraBatch processing is reached on each available computer. A report text file for each dispatched workings segment is created in the \TBATCH\PROGRESS folder on the master computer.
If batch computers are involved, TerraDispatcher writes a text file for each working segment assigned to a batch computer in the \TBATCH\QUEUE folder. The TerraBatchService on the batch computer checks regularly the \QUEUE folder on the master computer for waiting files. If it finds a file, TerraBatch is launched on the batch computer and processing starts.
3. While TerraBatch processes a working segment, it continues writing the report in the \TBATCH\PROGRESS folder on the master computer.
4. After TerraBatch completed the processing for a working segment, it moves the report to the\TBATCH\REPORTS folder on the master computer.
5. After TerraBatch completed the task, it moves the task file and all related text files from the \TBATCH\TASK folder to the \TBATCH\REPORTS folder.
The reports are stored in text files and include information about the processing steps performed on the working segments and a status remark. Report files are named in the same way as task files with the addition of a working segment number. The name structure is <DATE>_<TIME>_<NUMBER.TXT, for example 20200523_093349_000001.txt. The number is increased automatically for each working segment.
6. If another task has been started while the previous task was still processed, the task file and related text files are written in the \TBATCH\TASK folder. When the previous task is finished, TerraDispatcher starts immediately to dispatch the next task. Waiting tasks are processed according to the creation time of the task file, first created tasks are first in processing order.
TerraDispatcher automatically takes care of the distribution of working segments in automatic dispatching mode. This is the default processing mode when tasks are started in TerraScan/TerraPhoto/TerraMatch. The user can change to manual dispatching mode either in TerraBatch task settings in the Terrasolid Application starting a task or in the TerraDispatcher. Thus, the user takes control on how the working segments are distributed to participating computers.
