What is meant by latency in data transfer?

Latency in data transfer refers specifically to the delay that occurs before the actual data transfer begins. It is not about the speed of transmission, the processing time, or the distance the data travels, but rather the interval between the moment a request to send data is made and the moment the data transfer actually starts. This delay can be influenced by various factors, such as network congestion, the physical distance between sender and receiver, and the quality of the network infrastructure. Understanding latency is crucial in fields such as networking and telecommunications, as it can significantly impact the performance and user experience of applications, especially those that require real-time data transfer.