Message
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224630539
2008-07-09T19:01:07Z
ClueBot
4928500
Reverting possible vandalism by [[Special:Contributions/71.229.174.78|71.229.174.78]] to version by Landon1980. False positive? [[User:ClueBot/FalsePositives|Report it]]. Thanks, [[User:ClueBot]]. (436180) (Bot)
{{Unreferenced|date=December 2007}}
{{otheruses}}
{{redirect|Messages|other uses|Message (disambiguation)}}
{{Redirect|Communiqué}}
{{wiktionary}}
A '''message''' in its most general meaning is an [[Object (grammar)|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 [[Communication studies|communications science]], a '''message''' is [[information]] which is sent from a [[communication source|source]] to a receiver. Some common definitions include:
* Any [[thought]] or [[idea]] expressed in a [[language]], prepared in a form suitable for [[transmission (telecommunications)|transmission]] by any means 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.
==In computer science==
There are two main senses of the word "message" in computer science: messages passed within software, which may or may not be human-readable, and human-readable messages delivered via computer software for person-to-person communication.
* [[Message passing]] is a form of communication used in concurrent and parallel computing, object-oriented programming, and interprocess communication, where communication is made by sending messages to recipients. In a related use of this sense of a message, in [[object-oriented programming language]]s such as [[Smalltalk]] or [[Java]], a ''message'' is sent to an [[Object (computer science)|object]], specifying a ''request'' for action.
* [[Instant 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.
== History of messaging ==
* [[Airmail]]
* [[Electronic mail]]
* [[Express mail]]
* [[Homing pigeon]]s
* [[Instant messaging]]
* [[Radio]]
* [[Semaphore line|Semaphore]]
* [[Smoke signals]]
* [[Steamships|Steamshipping]]
* [[Telegraphy]]
* [[Telephony]]
* [[Television]]
* [[Short message service|Text messaging]]
* [[Shipping|Wind-powered shipping]]
==External links==
* [http://www.scribd.com/doc/17561/Messages-through-Ages A brief history of messaging through the ages]
[[Category:Communication]]
[[Category:Units of information (cognitive processes)]]
[[ca:Missatge]]
[[de:Nachricht]]
[[es:Mensaje]]
[[fa:پیام]]
[[fr:Message]]
[[gl:Mensaxe]]
[[ko:메시지]]
[[it:Messaggio]]
[[lt:Pranešimas]]
[[nl:Bericht]]
[[ja:コミュニケ]]
[[no:Budskap]]
[[pt:Mensagem]]
[[ru:Сообщение]]
[[sq:Lajmi]]
[[uk:Комюніке]]