Which field type is necessary for performing arithmetic calculations like sum?

To perform arithmetic calculations such as sum, the necessary field type is numeric. Numeric fields represent numerical values, which allow for mathematical operations to be applied, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. This capability is fundamental in data processing and analysis, where numerical data is often aggregated to derive insights.

In contrast, string fields are used for text data and cannot be involved in arithmetic calculations. Date/Time fields represent points in time or durations but are not strictly numeric and require special functions for calculations, such as interval calculations. Logical fields represent boolean values (true or false) and do not support arithmetic operations. Thus, numeric fields are essential for performing any type of arithmetic calculation effectively.