Message 41367 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]]