Median Filter
A median filter is a non-linear digital filtering technique used primarily in signal and image processing to reduce noise while preserving edges. It works by replacing each pixel or data point with the median value of its neighboring entries within a defined window or kernel. This makes it effective at removing salt-and-pepper noise and impulse noise without blurring sharp transitions as much as linear filters like Gaussian filters.
Developers should learn and use median filters when working on image processing, computer vision, or signal analysis tasks that require noise reduction while maintaining edge integrity. It is particularly useful in applications like medical imaging, photography enhancement, and real-time video processing where preserving details is critical. Understanding this concept helps in implementing robust preprocessing steps for machine learning models or improving visual quality in graphics software.