targetfield

Targetfield is a term used in data management and software development to denote the destination field within a data structure, database, form, or data transfer schema where input data is stored or mapped. It is typically defined as the counterpart to a source field, which provides the data. In practice, targetfield designates where transformed or collected data will reside and what constraints, formats, and validations apply to it. Although commonly written as two words, some systems treat it as a concatenated identifier.

In data integration and ETL (extract, transform, load) processes, targetfields are defined for each data element being loaded into the target dataset or schema. The mapping specifies which source field feeds which targetfield, and may include transformation steps, type casting, and data quality checks. Clear targetfield definitions help ensure consistency across pipelines and facilitate error handling and auditing.

In forms, APIs, and backend services, a targetfield describes the destination attribute that receives submitted values. This terminology supports validation, data routing, and storage logic, and is important for ensuring that user input or API payloads align with the underlying data model.

In machine learning and analytics, the term is sometimes used to refer to the label or dependent variable that models aim to predict, distinguishing it from feature fields. Good practice for targetfields includes explicit data type specification, nullability rules, and documentation of any transformations applied during data preparation.

See also: source field, data mapping, ETL, target schema, label.