Which of the following is a primary task performed by databases?

The primary task performed by databases is cross-referencing records, which is crucial for maintaining data integrity and ensuring efficient retrieval. Databases are designed to store, manage, and facilitate access to structured data. When records are cross-referenced, it allows for relationships between different data entities to be established. This enables users to query and retrieve related information efficiently, making databases powerful tools for data analysis, reporting, and management. Cross-referencing is fundamental to tasks such as joining tables in relational databases, which is a common operation that enhances data retrieval capabilities.

Other options, such as graphic design, data entry, and graphic rendering, are not core tasks of databases. Graphic design involves the creation of visual content and is unrelated to data management. While data entry can be a function associated with how data is inputted into a database, it is not considered a primary task of the database itself. Similarly, graphic rendering pertains to visualizing data or images, which is outside the primary functions of a database system. Thus, the focus on cross-referencing records as the primary task highlights the essential role databases play in organizing and linking data effectively.