Signature components need a stated encoding and signing context.
LET’S PICTURE IT
A stamped authorization has mathematical fields plus information for interpreting the stamp.
SEE IT FOR YOURSELF
From a public address to a verified signatureStep 1 / 4
An address is public receiving information. It is not the private key that authorizes actions.
An address is public receiving information. It is not the private key that authorizes actions.The local signing system uses secret authorization material. It produces a signature; the private key is not sent along with it.A verifier checks the signed request under the account’s rules. A valid signature does not by itself prove that the action is safe.Balances belong to network state. A wallet is an interface and signing system, not a box containing coins.
Animated local teaching model. No wallet, RPC or live blockchain data. Some labels and hashes are abbreviated for readability.
Read r and s as scalars
An ECDSA signature contains r and s values. Their byte encodings are not a message or a private key, and their validity depends on the signed digest and curve rules.
Interpret recovery information
Ethereumsignature conventions include recovery parity information, often exposed through a v-like field. Its representation differs across legacy transactions and message-signature APIs.
Do not assume one universal v
Legacy chain-protected transaction v values encode additional information. A message signature using 27 or 28 is a different framing convention from a simple parity value.
Parse with the expected format
Some formats use compact encodings. Confirm length, normalization and context with a maintained library instead of splitting every signature using one unqualified rule.
Inspect the distinction
Common expanded message signature: r32 || s32 || recovery byte
Other conventions exist, including compact signatures.
Specify the format before parsing.
These are local teaching values, not a signature request or a live-chain lookup.