dotdecimal

Dot-decimal notation is a method used to represent Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, which are numerical labels assigned to devices connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. This notation is widely used in IPv4, the fourth version of the Internet Protocol. An IPv4 address consists of 32 bits, which are divided into four 8-bit octets. Each octet is represented by a decimal number ranging from 0 to 255. These numbers are separated by periods (dots), hence the term "dot-decimal."

For example, the IPv4 address 192.168.1.1 is represented in dot-decimal notation. Here, 192, 168, 1, and 1 are the decimal values of the four octets. This notation is essential for identifying and locating devices on a network, routing data packets, and ensuring proper communication between devices.

Dot-decimal notation is straightforward and easy to understand, making it a preferred method for representing IPv4 addresses. However, with the exhaustion of IPv4 addresses and the transition to IPv6, which uses a different addressing scheme, the use of dot-decimal notation is gradually decreasing. Nevertheless, it remains a fundamental concept in networking and is still widely used in IPv4 networks.