Morse code is a method for transmitting telegraphic information, using standardized sequences of short and long elements to represent the letters, numerals, punctuation and special characters of a message. The short and long elements can be formed by sounds, marks or pulses, in on off keying and are commonly known as "dots" and "dashes" or "dits" and "dahs".
International Morse code is composed of six elements:
short mark, dot or 'dit' (·)
longer mark, dash or 'dah' (-)
intra-character gap (between the dots and dashes within a character)
short gap (between letters)
medium gap (between words)
long gap (between sentences — about seven units of time)
These six elements serve as the basis for International Morse code and therefore can be applied to the use of Morse code world-wide.