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Active message
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<p>In <a href="/facts/Computing/Kghtm9fX">computing</a>, an active message is a messaging object capable of performing processing on its own. This contrasts with traditional computer-based <a href="/facts/Messaging_system/cIQYyT6y">messaging systems</a> in which messages are passive entities with no processing power. </p><p>For example, an active message may send not only the data "5" but also the function that determines what to do with that 5 (such as multiply it by 2). </p><p>Active messages can be used to optimize network communications, such as reducing latency by removing software overheads associated with buffering and providing applications with direct user-level access to the network hardware. </p>