1. A method of executing a batch application comprising: reading inputs from one or more data files; performing updates on one or more associated records according to the inputs; issuing one or more syncpoints as the updates are being performed; issuing one or more checkpoints as the updates are being performed; issuing a final syncpoint when all updates have been performed; and in response to detection of a failure of the batch application, restarting the batch application from the last issued checkpoint, and executing the batch application by reading one or more inputs from one or more data files without performing updates on associated records until the most recently-issued syncpoint is reached.