IP Address
An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a unique numerical identifier assigned to each device connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. It serves two primary functions: identifying the host or network interface and providing the location of the device in the network, enabling data routing across the internet or local networks.
Developers should understand IP addresses when working with networking, web development, cybersecurity, or distributed systems, as they are fundamental for tasks like configuring servers, implementing client-server communication, debugging network issues, and managing access controls. For example, in web development, IP addresses are used for logging, geolocation services, and rate limiting, while in DevOps, they are crucial for setting up firewalls, load balancers, and virtual private networks (VPNs).