A general approach to addressing

Abstract

The first question to be asked in any consideration of addressing is what are the types of object for which addresses are being provided? The most common form of an address is the postal address. In this case, the “addressable object” is the postal delivery point. This address is frequently used as a synonym for the building, be it residential, commercial or public, and for referencing purposes beyond the delivery of mail. The address is usually built around a property identifier (e.g. building number or name), street name, and a sequence of geographic areas (town, county, country etc). However, there is no reason why addresses should be restricted to buildings. This paper discusses the requirement for addresses, how addresses can be created for a range of classes of addressable object, and outlines a definitive address infrastructure.