What is stream processing?

Stream processing refers to the continuous processing of data in real-time as it is generated or received. This approach allows for the immediate analysis and response to data streams, which is crucial for applications that require real-time insights such as fraud detection, monitoring of social media feeds, and live analytics in various sectors. By processing data in motion, organizations can act on information as it occurs, enabling timely decision-making and improving operational efficiency.

In contrast, the other options focus on different data handling aspects that do not involve real-time processing. For example, analyzing data at rest pertains to evaluating stored data after it has been collected, archiving old data relates to the storage of information for future reference, and collecting input data for reporting is focused on gathering data to produce reports rather than processing it continuously. Therefore, these aspects do not align with the fundamental characteristics of stream processing.