Java

We just added a new training technique. I really need to test this out more, but so far it outperforms RPROP on anything I've given it. We also have it fully multithreaded, so I really think this is going to become the training algorithm of choice for Encog. It is called Scaled Conjugate Gradient (Levenberg-Marquardt) Training. So far I am really impressed with it! It is quite easy to use.

Train train = new ScaledConjugateGradient(network, trainingSet);

Java only... for now... this will be part of the official 2.3 release which should come out in the Jan/Feb timeframe.

Implementing 2D arrays in C# involves some decisions as to how to represent the array. C# has two different types of arrays. This is somewhat different than the Java programming language, which supports only a single type of array. In C# you must choose between rectangular and jagged arrays. There are very important considerations for each of these array types. There are also many articles about the differences between array handling in Java and C#. This article focuses on one thing-- performance. Particularly how to implement a matrix with the best performance.

On Tuesday, June 2, 2009 I will do a presentation on Encog at the Gateway Java Users Group in St. Louis, MO at 6:00 PM. The information on this presentation can be found here. I will post the material for this presentation online after I complete it.

Implementing a Java Neural Network with the Encog Framework

In this article I am going to present a brief introduction to the Groovy programming language. Groovy can be very beneficial to the artificial intelligence programmer. When training a neural network for pattern recognition it is often necessary to pre-process the data considerably before training the neural network. This is particularly true for temporal pattern recognition. Additionally control and training sets must be established, often by statistical analysis. Groovy allows you to very quickly create such code in a scripted way, without all of the ceremony of regular Java.

The class 3 material for Introduction to Neural Networks for C#/Java has been posted, visit the forum area for more information.

The Second Edition to our popular Introduction to Neural Networks for Java is now available from Amazon. This sister C# book will be available in about three weeks.

[Amazon: Introduction to Neural Networks for Java, 2nd Edition]