Fundamental and compound operations

Programming basics

Fundamental operations of a computer

The most basic instructions a computer can be given are:

• ADD
• COMPARE
• RETRIEVE
• STORE

Compound operations

Compound operations are composed of very large numbers of fundamental operations. Compound operations are more complex than fundamental operations. For example, if we wanted to multiply, we would simply add groups of numbers until we had found our solution.

Standards

• State the fundamental operations of a computer.
• Distinguish between fundamental and compound operations of a computer.

Give a specific name, value or other brief answer without explanation or calculation.

Give a specific name, value or other brief answer without explanation or calculation.

Make clear the differences between two or more concepts or items.