Final answer:
A database does not perform the actions of merging data into a word-processing document and ordering new parts. These actions are outside the scope of typical database functionalities, which involve data management and manipulation within the database itself.
Step-by-step explanation:
To answer the question regarding what actions a database does not perform, we need to understand the typical functionalities of a database management system (DBMS). Here are the clarifications for each provided option:
- (a) Update information in more than one place at the same time: This is something a database can do using transactions and is a part of ensuring data integrity.
- (b) Find the average of four numbers: Databases can perform this operation using aggregate functions like AVG() in SQL queries.
- (c) Merge data into a word-processing document: Typically, merging data into a word-processing document is not a direct function of a database. It's a task usually managed by other software, often in conjunction with a database.
- (d) Order new parts: Databases themselves do not perform actions like ordering, which involve external processes and decision-making.
- (e) Compare data: Databases can compare data using various comparison operators in SQL.
- (f) Sort and manipulate the data: Sorting and data manipulation are core functions of databases using SQL queries.
Therefore, the actions that a database does not perform are (c) merge data into a word-processing document and (d) order new parts.