Transactions flow in one of two processes
 
Duel-message

• Transaction authorization and data submission occur in two separate messages 
• The authorization occurs at the time of transaction
• The response to the merchant is either Approved or Declined (known as a partial authorization)
• The transaction data submission (i.e. Data Capture) occurs via batch processing at the end of the business day
• This has been the traditional process for conducting credit card transactions.

 
Single-message

• Transaction authorization and Data Capture occur with a single message at the time of the transaction
• These authorizations are called "Full-financial" authorizations.
• The authorization contains all the needed information to complete the transaction among all parties.
• PIN-debit transactions have always used this process. 
• Visa and Mastercard are currently transitioning credit card transactions to a single-message process.
• Full-financial authorizations, eliminate the need for a second data capture message at the end of the business day.