Start by clarifying the exact requirements: IPv4 addresses consist of four decimal numbers separated by dots, each between 0 and 255, with no leading zeros unless the number is exactly '0'. Then outline a solution that splits the string by '.', checks for exactly four parts, and validates each part as a numeric string within range and without leading zeros. Finally, discuss edge cases and test your solution with examples.
Pro tip: Mention that you would avoid using regular expressions for this problem because they can be error-prone and less readable; instead, a straightforward split-and-validate approach is clearer and easier to maintain. Also, explicitly state that you would handle edge cases like empty strings, extra dots, and non-numeric characters.
Ask if the input can contain leading/trailing spaces, if leading zeros are allowed (e.g., '01'), and if the function should return a boolean or throw an error. Confirm that only decimal digits and dots are allowed.
Use the split method to divide the string into parts based on the dot character. Check that the resulting array has exactly four elements.
For each part, ensure it is a non-empty string of digits, does not have leading zeros (unless it is '0'), and its integer value is between 0 and 255 inclusive.
If all parts pass validation, return true; otherwise, return false. Walk through a few test cases (valid, invalid, edge cases) to verify correctness.
AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.