Flow control is the management of how data, tasks, or operations move through a computer system, application, or network. It determines when information can be sent, processed, paused, or continued, helping different parts of a system work together smoothly. This is especially important when one component operates faster than another and could otherwise become overloaded.
In networking and software, flow control helps prevent data loss, processing delays, and system congestion by regulating the amount of information handled at a time. It can use signals, rules, or predefined limits to control the pace of activity. By maintaining a balanced flow, it improves reliability, supports efficient resource use, and helps systems perform consistently under different workloads.
