What is the term used when a computer performs a task?

The term used when a computer performs a task is "Process." In computing, a process refers to an instance of a program that is being executed. It encompasses the program code as well as its current activity, which includes the values of the program counter, registers, and variables. When a computer processes data, it is essentially carrying out a specific sequence of instructions to achieve a particular outcome, making this term the most accurate description of what happens during task execution.

While "Execution" is closely related and often used interchangeably in casual contexts, it technically refers to the actual running of instructions within a process. "Operation" and "Calculation" are more specific terms that describe particular types of tasks or actions but do not capture the broader concept of carrying out an entire program or set of instructions like “Process” does. Thus, "Process" is the term that comprehensively describes the overall context of a task being executed by a computer.