https://openjdk.java.net/ 
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 * DO NOT ALTER OR REMOVE COPYRIGHT NOTICES OR THIS FILE HEADER.
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 * published by the Free Software Foundation.  Oracle designates this
 * particular file as subject to the "Classpath" exception as provided
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 * This code is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT
 * ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or
 * FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU General Public License
 * version 2 for more details (a copy is included in the LICENSE file that
 * accompanied this code).
 *
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 * 2 along with this work; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation,
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 *
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package java.lang.annotation;


Indicates the contexts in which an annotation type is applicable. The declaration contexts and type contexts in which an annotation type may be applicable are specified in JLS 9.6.4.1, and denoted in source code by enum constants of java.lang.annotation.ElementType. 
If an @Target meta-annotation is not present on an annotation type T , then an annotation of type T may be written as a modifier for any declaration except a type parameter declaration. 
If an @Target meta-annotation is present, the compiler will enforce the usage restrictions indicated by ElementType enum constants, in line with JLS 9.7.4. 
For example, this @Target meta-annotation indicates that the declared type is itself a meta-annotation type. It can only be used on annotation type declarations: 
   @Target(ElementType.ANNOTATION_TYPE)
   public @interface MetaAnnotationType {
       ...
   }



This @Target meta-annotation indicates that the declared type is intended solely for use as a member type in complex annotation type declarations. It cannot be used to annotate anything directly: 
   @Target({})
   public @interface MemberType {
       ...
   }



It is a compile-time error for a single ElementType constant to appear more than once in an @Target annotation. For example, the following @Target meta-annotation is illegal: 
   @Target({ElementType.FIELD, ElementType.METHOD, ElementType.FIELD})
   public @interface Bogus {
       ...
   }



Since:1.5
@jls9.6.4.1 @Target
@jls9.7.4 Where Annotations May Appear
@jls9.7.5 Multiple Annotations of the Same Type
/**
 * Indicates the contexts in which an annotation type is applicable. The
 * declaration contexts and type contexts in which an annotation type may be
 * applicable are specified in JLS 9.6.4.1, and denoted in source code by enum
 * constants of {@link ElementType java.lang.annotation.ElementType}.
 *
 * <p>If an {@code @Target} meta-annotation is not present on an annotation type
 * {@code T} , then an annotation of type {@code T} may be written as a
 * modifier for any declaration except a type parameter declaration.
 *
 * <p>If an {@code @Target} meta-annotation is present, the compiler will enforce
 * the usage restrictions indicated by {@code ElementType}
 * enum constants, in line with JLS 9.7.4.
 *
 * <p>For example, this {@code @Target} meta-annotation indicates that the
 * declared type is itself a meta-annotation type.  It can only be used on
 * annotation type declarations:
 * <pre>
 *    &#064;Target(ElementType.ANNOTATION_TYPE)
 *    public &#064;interface MetaAnnotationType {
 *        ...
 *    }
 * </pre>
 *
 * <p>This {@code @Target} meta-annotation indicates that the declared type is
 * intended solely for use as a member type in complex annotation type
 * declarations.  It cannot be used to annotate anything directly:
 * <pre>
 *    &#064;Target({})
 *    public &#064;interface MemberType {
 *        ...
 *    }
 * </pre>
 *
 * <p>It is a compile-time error for a single {@code ElementType} constant to
 * appear more than once in an {@code @Target} annotation.  For example, the
 * following {@code @Target} meta-annotation is illegal:
 * <pre>
 *    &#064;Target({ElementType.FIELD, ElementType.METHOD, ElementType.FIELD})
 *    public &#064;interface Bogus {
 *        ...
 *    }
 * </pre>
 *
 * @since 1.5
 * @jls 9.6.4.1 @Target
 * @jls 9.7.4 Where Annotations May Appear
 * @jls 9.7.5 Multiple Annotations of the Same Type
 */
@Documented
@Retention(RetentionPolicy.RUNTIME)
@Target(ElementType.ANNOTATION_TYPE)
public @interface Target {
    
Returns an array of the kinds of elements an annotation type
can be applied to.

Returns:an array of the kinds of elements an annotation type
can be applied to
/**
     * Returns an array of the kinds of elements an annotation type
     * can be applied to.
     * @return an array of the kinds of elements an annotation type
     * can be applied to
     */
    ElementType[] value();
}