targetAddress

Target address is a term used in computing to identify the intended recipient of a message, request, or data packet. It refers to the endpoint that should receive and process the payload. The exact meaning depends on context, but it generally denotes the destination used by communication protocols, service routing, or application logic.

In networking, the target address is the destination IP address (and often a port) for a packet. In IPv4 and IPv6, the destination address field tells routers where to forward the packet. For transport-layer protocols like TCP or UDP, the combination of destination IP and port specifies the exact service or application instance to receive the data.

In email and messaging, the target address signifies the recipient’s address or identifier to which the message should be delivered. In logs and routing configurations, it often appears as the final delivery address or endpoint.

In software systems and APIs, a field or parameter named targetAddress may appear in payloads, configurations, or routing rules to indicate where a request should be sent or which service should be contacted. In microservices, service meshes, or message brokers, targetAddress helps route traffic to the correct service instance. In blockchain and payments, the targetAddress commonly represents the recipient’s wallet or account address for transfers.

Security and correctness considerations include validating and sanitizing target addresses to prevent misdelivery, spoofing, or misrouting, and ensuring that address formats comply with the relevant protocol or system.