Messages

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Information

Information services

Automated information coding Automated information processing Automated information retrieval Automated information storage Computer searching Databases Data collection Data processing Decision support systems Expert systems Human information storage Information dissemination Information literacy Information seeking Information specialists Information systems Information technology Information theory Intelligent agents Knowledge engineering Knowledge management Libraries

Related topics

Bioinformatics Censorship Communication Classification Concepts Declarative knowledge Electronic communication Internet Knowledge economy Messages Privileged communication Procedural knowledge Taxonomies

A message in its most general meaning is an object of communication. It is something which provides information; it can also be this information itself. Therefore, its meaning is dependent upon the context in which it is used; the term may apply to both the information and its form. A communiqué is a brief report or statement released by a public agency.

In communications science

More precisely, in communications science, a message is information which is sent from a source to a receiver. Some common definitions include:

• Any thought or idea expressed in a language, prepared in a form suitable for transmission via media as a form of communication.
• An arbitrary amount of information whose beginning and end are defined or implied.

In communication between humans, messages can be verbal or nonverbal:

• A verbal message is an exchange of information using words. Examples include face-to-face communication, telephone calls, voicemails, etc.
• A nonverbal message is communicated through actions or behaviors rather than words. Examples include the use of body language and the actions made by an individual idea.

Modern forms of messaging

• Instant messaging, text messaging and e-mail are examples of computer software designed for delivering human-readable messages in formatted or unformatted text, from one person to another.

See also

• Computer mediated communication
• Electronic communication
• Gossip
• Text messaging