What is scanning?

Scanning, in its broadest sense, refers to the process of systematically examining something, often with the goal of identifying specific features, patterns, or anomalies. In technology, scanning is a fundamental operation used in a wide range of applications. Examples include: document scanning (converting physical documents into digital formats), network scanning (identifying active devices and services on a network), vulnerability scanning (detecting security weaknesses in systems), medical scanning (using techniques like MRI and CT scans to visualize the inside of the body), and barcode/QR code scanning (decoding information encoded in visual patterns). Each type of scanning employs different methods and tools tailored to the specific target being examined.