Source vs. Target — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 8, 2024
In various contexts, "source" refers to the origin or starting point, while "target" denotes the endpoint or goal aimed at.
Difference Between Source and Target
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The term "source" is used to describe the beginning or point of origin of something, such as data, information, or materials, indicating where something originates from. On the other hand, "target" refers to the intended endpoint or the object or outcome that one aims to achieve or reach.
In programming, "source code" is the original code written by programmers, from which software is developed. Conversely, the "target" in this context can refer to the platform or environment a program is intended to operate within or the final compiled code that results from the source.
In research, "source" can refer to the primary material or data used as the basis for analysis, while "target" often describes the focus of the study, such as a specific demographic, disease, or environmental condition being investigated.
In communications, the source is the sender or originator of a message, whereas the target is the audience or recipient meant to receive and understand the message.
When discussing migration, "source country" refers to the country from which individuals or groups migrate, while "target country" or "destination country" is where these individuals or groups aim to settle.
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Comparison Chart
General Usage
Origin point of an item or concept
Endpoint or goal aimed at
Programming
Original code written by programmers
Platform or environment for the software
Research
Primary material or data for analysis
Specific focus or subject of the study
Communications
Sender or originator of a message
Audience or recipient of the message
Migration
Country from which individuals migrate
Country where migrants aim to settle
Compare with Definitions
Source
In journalism, a person or document providing information.
The journalist protected the identity of their source.
Target
An object or location aimed at or sought.
The arrow hit the target in the center.
Source
In academic writing, references from which information is obtained.
Academic papers require citing all sources of information.
Target
The intended recipient of a product, service, or message.
The advertising campaign targeted young adults.
Source
In technology, the original location or format of data.
The data source for the research was a national database.
Target
In computing, a device or system that is the focus of actions.
The software was installed on the target device without issues.
Source
The point where something begins or is derived from.
The river's source is in the mountain range.
Target
The desired outcome of a process or activity.
The project's target completion date is in June.
Source
In commerce, the initial supplier of goods or components.
The factory is a major source of components for the company.
Target
In business, a company or entity aimed at for acquisition.
The corporation identified a small startup as its acquisition target.
Source
A person or thing from which something comes into being or is derived or obtained
Alternative sources of energy.
The source of funding for the project.
Target
A person, object, or place selected as the aim of an attack
The airport terminal was the target of a bomb
A military target
Source
The point of origin of a stream or river.
Target
A small round shield or buckler.
Source
One, such as a person or document, that supplies information
Reporters are only as reliable as their sources.
Target
Select as an object of attention or attack
Two men were targeted by the attackers
Source
(Physics) The point or part of a system where energy or mass is added to the system.
Target
An object, such as a padded disk with a marked surface, that is shot at to test accuracy in rifle or archery practice.
Source
To specify the origin of (a communication); document
The report is thoroughly sourced.
Target
Something aimed or fired at.
Source
To obtain (materials or parts) from another business, country, or locale for manufacture
They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.
Target
An object of criticism or verbal attack.
Source
To outsource or insource (tasks or jobs, for example).
Target
One to be influenced or changed by an action or event
Children were the target of the new advertising campaign.
Source
The person, place, or thing from which something (information, goods, etc.) comes or is acquired.
The accused refused to reveal the source of the illegal drugs she was selling.
Target
A desired goal
Achieved our target for quarterly sales.
Source
Spring; fountainhead; wellhead; any collection of water on or under the surface of the ground in which a stream originates.
The main sources of the Euphrates River are the Karasu and Murat Rivers.
Target
A railroad signal that indicates the position of a switch by its color, position, and shape.
Source
A reporter's informant.
Target
The sliding sight on a surveyor's leveling rod.
Source
(computing) Source code.
Target
A small round shield.
Source
(electronics) The name of one terminal of a field effect transistor (FET).
Target
A usually metal part in an x-ray tube on which a beam of electrons is focused and from which x-rays are emitted.
Source
To obtain or procure: used especially of a business resource.
Target
(Biochemistry) A molecule or molecular structure, such as a protein or a nucleic acid, that a drug or other compound interacts with and modulates the activity of.
Source
(transitive) To find information about (a quotation)'s source from which it comes: to find a citation for.
Target
To aim at or identify as a target
Targeted the airport hangar.
Source
The act of rising; a rise; an ascent.
Therefore right as an hawk upon a soursUp springeth into the air, right so prayers . . . Maken their sours to Goddes ears two.
Target
To identify or treat as the object of action, criticism, or change
Targeted the molecule for study.
Targeted teenagers with the ad campaign.
Source
The rising from the ground, or beginning, of a stream of water or the like; a spring; a fountain.
Where as the Poo out of a welle smallTaketh his firste springing and his sours.
Kings that ruleBehind the hidden sources of the Nile.
Target
To design for or direct toward a specific object or audience
Targeted the ad campaign toward seniors.
Source
That from which anything comes forth, regarded as its cause or origin; the person from whom anything originates; first cause.
This source of ideas every man has wholly in himself.
The source of Newton's light, of Bacon's sense.
Target
(Biochemistry) To interact with as a target
Drugs that target estrogen receptors.
Source
The place where something begins, where it springs into being;
The Italian beginning of the Renaissance
Jupiter was the origin of the radiation
Pittsburgh is the source of the Ohio River
Communism's Russian root
Target
A butt or mark to shoot at, as for practice, or to test the accuracy of a firearm, or the force of a projectile.
Take careful aim at the target.
Source
A person who supplies information
Target
A goal or objective.
They have a target to finish the project by November.
Source
A publication (or a passage from a publication) that is referred to;
He carried an armful of references back to his desk
He spent hours looking for the source of that quotation
Target
An object of criticism or ridicule.
Source
A document (or organization) from which information is obtained;
The reporter had two sources for the story
Target
A person, place, or thing that is frequently attacked, criticized, or ridiculed.
Source
A facility where something is available
Target
A kind of small shield or buckler, used as a defensive weapon in war.
Source
Anything that provides inspiration for later work
Target
(obsolete) A shield resembling the Roman scutum, larger than the modern buckler.
Source
Someone who originates or causes or initiates something;
He was the generator of several complaints
Target
(heraldry) A bearing representing a buckler.
Source
(technology) a process by which energy or a substance enters a system;
A heat source
A source of carbon dioxide
Target
(sports) The pattern or arrangement of a series of hits made by a marksman on a butt or mark.
He made a good target.
Source
Anything (a person or animal or plant or substance) in which an infectious agent normally lives and multiplies;
An infectious agent depends on a reservoir for its survival
Target
(surveying) The sliding crosspiece, or vane, on a leveling staff.
Source
Get (a product) from another country or business;
She sourced a supply of carpet
They are sourcing from smaller companies
Target
(rail transport) A conspicuous disk attached to a switch lever to show its position, or for use as a signal.
Source
Specify the origin of;
The writer carefully sourced her report
Target
(cricket) the number of runs that the side batting last needs to score in the final innings in order to win
Target
(linguistics) The tenor of a metaphor.
Target
(translation studies) The translated version of a document, or the language into which translation occurs.
Do you charge by source or target?
Target
A person (or group of people) that a person or organization is trying to employ or to have as a customer, audience etc.
Target
A thin cut; a slice; specifically, of lamb, a piece consisting of the neck and breast joints.
Target
A tassel or pendant.
Target
A shred; a tatter.
Target
(transitive) To aim something, especially a weapon, at (a target).
Target
To aim for as an audience or demographic.
The advertising campaign targeted older women.
Target
To produce code suitable for.
This cross-platform compiler can target any of several processors.
Target
A kind of small shield or buckler, used as a defensive weapon in war.
Target
A butt or mark to shoot at, as for practice, or to test the accuracy of a firearm, or the force of a projectile.
Target
The sliding crosspiece, or vane, on a leveling staff.
Target
A conspicuous disk attached to a switch lever to show its position, or for use as a signal.
Target
A thin cut; a slice; specif., of lamb, a piece consisting of the neck and breast joints.
Target
A tassel or pendent; also, a shred; tatter.
Target
A goal for an activity; as, the target of this year's fundraising drive is 2 million dollars.
Target
A metallic object toward which a beam of electrons is aimed in a tube designed to generate X-rays; when the electrons strike the target, the impact causes emission of X-rays.
Target
Any object toward which a beam of photons, a laser beam, an electron beam, or a beam of atomic or subatomic particles is aimed.
Target
A person who is the subject of criticism or ridicule.
Target
A reference point to shoot at;
His arrow hit the mark
Target
A person who is the aim of an attack (especially a victim of ridicule or exploitation) by some hostile person or influence;
He fell prey to muggers
Everyone was fair game
The target of a manhunt
Target
The location of the target that is to be hit
Target
Sports equipment consisting of an object set up for a marksman or archer to aim at
Target
The goal intended to be attained (and which is believed to be attainable);
The sole object of her trip was to see her children
Target
Intend (something) to move towards a certain goal;
He aimed his fists towards his opponent's face
Criticism directed at her superior
Direct your anger towards others, not towards yourself
Common Curiosities
What is the difference between a source and a target in data management?
In data management, the source is where data originates, and the target is where data is stored or used after processing.
How do source and target relate in communication theory?
In communication theory, the source creates and sends the message, while the target is the intended recipient of that message.
What role does the source play in supply chain management?
In supply chain management, the source refers to suppliers and manufacturers who provide raw materials or finished goods.
Why is understanding the target audience important in marketing?
Understanding the target audience is crucial in marketing to tailor messages and products that meet the specific needs and preferences of that group.
Can the terms source and target be used interchangeably?
No, these terms are not interchangeable as they represent different concepts: the origin versus the aim or endpoint.
What are target behaviors in behavioral psychology?
Target behaviors are specific actions that therapy or interventions aim to increase or decrease in behavioral psychology.
What is meant by 'target market' in business?
A target market in business refers to the specific group of consumers at which a company aims its products and services.
Can the source of a river also be called its target?
No, the source of a river cannot be called its target; the source is the beginning, whereas a target would be a downstream location or endpoint.
How does source credibility affect communication effectiveness?
Source credibility significantly affects communication effectiveness because credible sources are more likely to persuade or influence the audience.
What is an example of a target in project management?
An example in project management would be achieving a specific milestone by a predetermined date as the project target.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
