In data processing and database management, what is the term for arranging data in a logical sequence based on a key such as name, date, or number?

Introduction / Context:
Arranging data in a logical order is one of the most basic operations in data processing, spreadsheets, and database management. This question checks whether you know the correct technical term for ordering data according to a specific key such as a customer name, invoice date, or salary amount. Understanding this term is important because many database commands and reporting tools are built around it.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We have a collection of records or rows, each with one or more fields.
• We want to arrange these records in a meaningful order based on one field, such as alphabetically or numerically.
• The question asks for the term used when we order records according to such a rule.
• We assume a typical computing and database context, not a purely statistical setting.

Concept / Approach:
The operation of arranging records in ascending or descending order by a selected key is called sorting. Sorting can be performed on one field or on multiple fields in a defined priority order. In SQL, the ORDER BY clause is used for this purpose. The approach to solving this question is to look for the option that defines sorting rather than other related tasks such as classification or summarization.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Identify the core action described: arranging data in a logical sequence.2. Recognise that examples of this are ordering by name, date, or numeric value.3. Option A explicitly mentions sorting and defines it as ordering records according to a chosen key field, which aligns with standard usage in database systems.4. Option B suggests classifying, which usually means grouping items into categories but does not necessarily impose an order.5. Option C refers to summarizing, which means aggregating data rather than listing each record in a particular sequence.6. Option D refers to random rearranging without a rule, which is the opposite of a logical sequence.7. Therefore, Option A is the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, consider how you use spreadsheet or database tools. When you want to see customers ordered by last name, you choose a sort operation. When you want sales by date in chronological order, you also choose sort. Database query languages use ORDER BY to implement sorting logic. None of the other terms fully capture this operation, confirming that sorting is the correct concept.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B is wrong because classification focuses on grouping, not necessarily on ordering.Option C is wrong because summarization produces totals or averages and may discard individual records.Option D is wrong because random rearranging does not produce a logical sequence, which is central to the question.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners sometimes mix up the idea of grouping and sorting. For example, grouping sales by region is a classification problem, while ordering those groups by total revenue is a sorting problem. It is important to keep these two concepts separate because different database commands and reporting functions handle them. Clear understanding of sorting also helps when designing indexes and deciding which columns to order by for performance and readability.

Final Answer:
Sorting, which orders records according to a chosen key field.