Batch data streams (BDS) are Java™ objects that provide an abstraction for the data stream processed by a batch step. A batch step can have zero or more BDS objects associated with it. The batch endpoints make the BDS associated with the batch step available at run time. The batch endpoints also manage the lifecycle of a BDS by invoking batch-specific callbacks.

A BDS object implements the com.ibm.websphere.batch.BatchDataStream interface. The implementing object can retrieve data from any type of data source.

See Implementing batch data stream framework and patterns for more information.