Messages

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 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 idea.

Modern forms of messaging

 * 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.