What is operations?

Operations are the basic actions that a computer or a software system can perform on data. They include things like adding numbers, comparing values, moving data around, and controlling the flow of a program. In a broader IT sense, “operations” can also refer to the day-to-day tasks that keep systems running, such as monitoring servers, applying updates, and handling incidents.

Let's break it down

  • Arithmetic operations - addition (+), subtraction (-), multiplication (*), division (/).
  • Logical operations - AND (&&), OR (||), NOT (!).
  • Bitwise operations - manipulate individual bits (e.g., &, |, ^, <<, >>).
  • Relational operations - compare values (==, !=, <, >, <=, >=).
  • Assignment operations - store results (e.g., =, +=, -=).
  • Input/Output operations - read from or write to files, keyboards, networks.
  • IT-ops tasks - monitoring, backups, patching, incident response, scaling resources.

Why does it matter?

Operations are the building blocks of every program and system. Without them, a computer could not calculate, make decisions, store information, or communicate. In IT operations, the processes keep services available, secure, and performant, which directly impacts user experience and business continuity.

Where is it used?

  • Software development - every line of code uses some form of operation.
  • Databases - queries perform logical and arithmetic operations to filter and compute data.
  • Networking - routers and firewalls use logical operations to decide where packets go.
  • Operating systems - manage resources using assignment and I/O operations.
  • Cloud services - automation scripts and monitoring tools rely on both code operations and IT-ops procedures.

Good things about it

  • Fundamental - once you understand operations, you can read and write any program.
  • Predictable - most operations have well-defined outcomes, making debugging easier.
  • Fast - low-level operations are executed quickly by the CPU.
  • Reusable - the same operations can be combined in countless ways to solve complex problems.
  • Scalable - in IT-ops, standardized processes allow teams to manage large infrastructures efficiently.

Not-so-good things

  • Error-prone - mistakes like off-by-one errors, overflow, or wrong logical conditions can cause bugs.
  • Complexity grows - as more operations are combined, understanding the overall behavior becomes harder.
  • Performance pitfalls - inefficient use of operations (e.g., unnecessary loops) can slow programs.
  • Security risks - improper handling of I/O or logical checks can lead to vulnerabilities.
  • Operational overhead - managing IT-ops tasks manually can be time-consuming and error-laden without automation.