Flow control refers to the regulation of data transmission or movement in a system. The term can be used interchangeably with other phrases such as data flow management, traffic shaping, or bandwidth management. These synonyms can often be used as more specific versions of flow control, as they may apply to more specific types of data or systems. Quality of Service (QoS) may also be related to flow control as it relates to prioritising specific types of data in a system. While flow control may be associated with networking technology, it is applicable in many different fields where data is regulated for optimal performance.