Targetbuffer

Targetbuffer is a term used in computing to denote a memory buffer designated as the destination for subsequent operations in a data processing or rendering pipeline. The buffer holds the output produced by a preceding stage and is intended for consumption by a following stage or for persistence. A targetbuffer may be allocated in system RAM, graphics memory, or device memory, and carries metadata such as size, format, stride, access permissions, and lifetime information.

Its lifecycle typically includes allocation, binding to a producer, and submission to a transport or processing stage. Targetbuffers are often reused through buffering strategies such as double or circular buffering, and they may be processed asynchronously with synchronization primitives that ensure data hazards are avoided.

In graphics and video workflows, a targetbuffer is commonly synonymous with a render target or frame buffer, capturing image data produced by a shader pipeline or video decoder. In data processing or I/O pipelines, it can represent an output window for transformed data, ready for transfer to storage or network transmission.

Performance and portability considerations include proper alignment and memory layout, cache behavior, and the use of memory pools or dedicated DMA paths. Efficient targetbuffer usage often relies on minimizing copies, enabling zero-copy transfers where possible, and coordinating producers and consumers to avoid stalls.

See also: buffer, render target, staging buffer, queue.