[Computer Hardware] Usually describes the physical components needed for data processing, e.g. monitor, computer keyboard, recording disk, central processing unit, etc.

See also Software.

The (spot) compression of for example breast tissue, allows for greater reduction in thickness of the area of interest and improved separation of breast tissues by the use of a small compression device.
Compression can be also a software or hardware process that shrinks images to lessen the storage space. Compression is generally accomplished by removing the bits that define redundant like data blank spaces, and replacing them with a smaller symbolic code that represents the removed or redundant bits.

Electronic noise decreases the image quality. There are various noise sources in any electronic system, including Johnson noise, shot noise, or thermal noise. Electronic noise can be caused by vibrations of any of the hardware components, especially the rotational components of a CT scanner or power fluctuations.

Computer and electronic data processing (EDP) programs are named software.

See also Hardware, Alpha Test and Beta Test.