processing (the 3 c's)
the computer performs all processing by "calculating," "comparing" and "copying" the data stored in its memory (ram).
calculate
the computer can perform any mathematical operation on data by adding,subtracting,multiplying and dividing one set with another.
compare
the computer can analyze and evaluate data by matching it with sets of known data that are included in the program or called in from storage.
copy
the computer can move data around to create any kind of report or listing in any order.
calculate,compare and copy
by calculating,comparing and copying,the computer accomplishes all forms of data processing.for example,records are sorted into a new order by comparing two records at a time and copying the record with the lower value in front of the one with the higher value.
the computer finds one customer out of thousands by comparing the requested account number to each record in the file.the query statement:sum salary for title = "nurse" causes the computer to compare the title field in each record for nurse and then add (calculate) the salary field for each match.
in word processing,inserting and deleting text is accomplished by copying characters from one place to another.
