Transaction with `OP_RETURN` to a particular address

[jgmBitcoin]

How do I formulate a Transaction with OP_RETURN to a particular address using Bitcoinj library.

Code:

SendRequest req;
Transaction transaction = new Transaction(Main.getNetWorkParameters());
        transaction.addOutput(Coin.ZERO, ScriptBuilder.createOpReturnScript("thanks for the coins".toString().getBytes()));
        //add a receiving address for this transaction
        req = SendRequest.forTx(transaction);

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[hexafraction]

You can't make an OP_RETURN-based output out to any specific address, since the OP_RETURN opcode marks an output as invalid (thus provably unspendable). In fact, an OP_RETURN-based output will not even enter the UTXO.

However, you can create a transaction that has multiple output scripts: One can be a standard P2PKH of the form OP_DUP OP_HASH160 <pubKeyHash> OP_EQUALVERIFY OP_CHECKSIG while the other can be an output with OP_RETURN. Just call addOutput twice, once with an address and the amount desired, and a second time with parameters for an OP_RETURN script (and a non-zero output value, I would presume).

[johoe]

for an OP_RETURN script (and a non-zero output value, I would presume).

A zero amount is okay (and even encouraged) for OP_RETURN.  The OP_RETURN is paid for via the fee; putting a non-zero amount in OP_RETURN would just destroy bitcoins, so the miners do not profit from mining it.

[hexafraction]

for an OP_RETURN script (and a non-zero output value, I would presume).

A zero amount is okay (and even encouraged) for OP_RETURN.  The OP_RETURN is paid for via the fee; putting a non-zero amount in OP_RETURN would just destroy bitcoins, so the miners do not profit from mining it.

Ah, my mistake. I assumed for some reason that a zero-value output was invalid (bad assumption). Thanks for explaining to me so I know now.