In formal situations, the salutation and "signifying" are appended to the execution of a form. This practice adds clarity and formality to the form by allowing the viewer to not only determine the martial art style of the practitioner, but also the form which is intended to be performed; and whether the form will be modified from its standard execution.
The salutation is always appended to both the beginning and the end of the form. But, the signification gesture is only added to the beginning of the form.