Signalen

Signalen are the Dutch plural of signaal. A signaal is an indication or cue that conveys information to a receiver. Signals can be intentional or incidental and may occur in many forms, including visual, auditory, electrical, chemical, or digital. They rely on a sender, a medium, and their meaning depends on the context and conventions used by the system in which they operate.

In technology and engineering, signaling refers to the exchange of information that establishes, controls, or ends a communication or operation. In telecommunications, signaling controls setup, routing, and maintenance; in computer networks, control signals coordinate data flow and processing. In transport, traffic signals regulate vehicle and pedestrian movements; railway and air traffic signaling ensure safety and sequencing of movements.

In biology and chemistry, signaling describes how cells and organisms communicate. Signaling molecules such as hormones or neurotransmitters convey information, triggering responses. Signal transduction pathways translate these signals into cellular actions, from gene expression changes to metabolic adjustments.

In computing and electronics, signaling denotes control information that accompanies or precedes data. This can include clock signals, framing bits, or supervisory channels. Out-of-band signaling and dedicated control planes are common mechanisms to separate control information from user data.

The term derives from the Latin signum through French and other languages, and has become a generic label for any cue that conveys information. Across disciplines, signaling serves to coordinate actions, convey status, warn of danger, or synchronize systems.