Interactive and Batch Mode#

In our High-Performance Computing (HPC) environment, users can run jobs in two primary modes: Interactive and Batch. This page provides an in-depth guide to both, assisting users in selecting the appropriate mode for their specific tasks.

Interactive Mode#

Interactive mode allows users to run jobs that need immediate execution and feedback.

Getting Started with Interactive Mode#

To launch an interactive session, use the following command:

# Request an interactive session
srun --pty /bin/bash

This command allocates resources and gives you a shell prompt on the allocated node.

Interactive Mode Use Cases#

Development and Testing: Ideal for code development and testing.
Short Tasks: Best for tasks that require less time and immediate results.

Batch Mode#

Batch mode enables users to write scripts that manage job execution, making it suitable for more complex or longer-running jobs.

Creating Batch Scripts#

A typical batch script includes directives for resource allocation, job names, and commands. Here is an example:

#!/bin/bash
#SBATCH --job-name=my_job
#SBATCH --nodes=1
#SBATCH --ntasks=4
#SBATCH --time=01:00:00

# Commands to execute
module load my_program
srun my_program.exe

Save this script with a .sh extension, e.g., my_script.sh.

Submitting Batch Jobs#

You can submit your batch script using the sbatch command.

sbatch my_script.sh

Monitoring Batch Jobs#

You can monitor the status of your batch job using the squeue command.

squeue -u username

Where username is your actual username.

Use Cases#

Long-Running Jobs: Suitable for extensive simulations or calculations.
Scheduled Tasks: Execute jobs at specific times or under certain conditions.
Automated Workflows: Manage complex workflows using multiple scripts.