PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the order relation of existing in computer science, define and analyze macroscopical‐order and semi‐partial order in pansystems theory, and explored the relationship between macroscopical‐order and semi‐partial order. It is an attempt to analyze problems in computer science by using pansystem's philosophy with mathematics and technology (PMT)‐combination.Design/methodology/approachSorting is an important operation in computer science. The main task of the sorting operation is to rearrange the random serial of records into an ordered serial of records according to some keywords. The authors know that there are many sorting methods in computer science. The authors discussed the essence of semi‐partial order and macroscopical‐order and the transformation between semi‐partial order and macroscopical‐order from the point of panscale's view; the essence of this transformation is revealed. By combining the PMT (PMT‐combination), it is easy for the authors to get a deep understanding of the technology in computer science.FindingsThe need for application of the order relation, the authors explored the relationship between macroscopical‐order and semi‐partial order. Combined with PanScale, the authors analyzed the essence of the transformation between macroscopical‐order and semi‐partial order. And applied it to the computer science.Research limitations/implicationsThe order relation is an important problem in computer science, as well as existing in our daily life, at the same time this problem has a scale concept in it, the authors need to further research and study.Practical implicationsA very useful method for research of the order relation in computer science.Originality/valueTo explore the relationship between macroscopical‐order and semi‐partial order. Combined with PanScale, the authors analyzed the essence of the transformation between macroscopical‐order and semi‐partial order. And applied macroscopical‐order and semi‐partial order to the computer science.