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Machine Learning (ML) Fundamentals

Machine Learning ML

Machine learning is a field that concentrates on determining how the effectiveness of the system can be increased through computations and a significant amount of experience. An experience in computer systems is typically prevalent as data. Hence, the central component of the machine learning algorithm is an algorithm for creating a model from data over a computer. We offer empirical data to the learning algorithm, which can create models on the basis of that data. In case a new situation arises, the model will offer relevant judgments. Machine learning can be considered as the study of algorithms in the same way as computer science refers to the study of programs.

Dataset

Data is required to perform machine learning. Consider, for example, that data is collected on watermelons, for example, (green color; curled at the base; dull tapping), (dark color; somewhat curled at the base; dull tapping), (pale color; stiff towards the base; crisp tapping). Each of these includes a record. When records are collected in this way, they constitute a dataset, where each record presents a description of an event or object known as an instance or sample. An attribute or feature refers to something that indicates the behavior or nature of an event or object in a certain way, like root, color, and tap. Attribute values signify the values of attributes, like black and green. Attribute space, input space, or sample space refers to the spaces where attributes are extended. Each point in space is related to a coordinate vector; hence, it is also known as a feature vector.

Hypothesis

The procedure followed while learning a model from data is referred to as learning or training, and this is achieved by executing a learning algorithm. Training data refers to the data employed in the training process, and here, every sample used is known as a training sample, while the set of training samples is referred to as the training set. The learning model is related to an underlying law of data; hence, it is known as a hypothesis.

This fundamental law is referred to as a “truth” or “ground-truth”, and the learning process is developed such that it is able to determine the actual, or approximate, truth. Often, the model is called a learner and is an expression of a learning algorithm for a specified data and parameter space. If you wish to learn a model that can assist you in determining if a suitable outcome is obtained, then the sample data is not sufficient. This kind of “prediction” model can be developed by acquiring the “result” information of the training sample, like (green color; ringing; curling).

Classification

When your goal is to determine discrete values like “good melon” and “bad melon”, then the learning task is referred to as “classification”. When seeking a continuous value, like watermelon maturity 0.95 or 0.37, the learning task is referred to as regression. When seeking to perform a “binary classification” task that has just two classes, one is typically referred to as “positive class”, while the other is known as a “negative class”. For more than one class, it is called a “multi-class classification” task.

Testing

Once the model is learned, it is used to make predictions through a process known as testing. The projected samples are referred to as sample testing. For instance, following learning, the prediction mark of the test case can be achieved.

It is also possible to “cluster” watermelons by categorizing them into various groups, where each group will be referred to as a “cluster”; these clusters that are automatically generated may be related to certain underlying concepts, like “dark-colored”, “light-colored”, or even “local”. Through this learning process, we can comprehend the underlying law of data and determine the basis of subsequent analysis of data. An important point to note is that the concepts of “light-colored melon” and “native melon” were not known to us during cluster learning, and the labeled information is typically not included in the training samples utilized in the learning process.

Once a detailed and careful comprehension of all the existing resources is obtained, it can be understood through brainstorming if a model uses supervised learning or unsupervised learning. Supervised learning is characterized by classification and regression, whereas unsupervised learning is characterized by clustering.

The objective of machine learning is to ensure that the learned model runs correctly with “new samples” and not just with the training samples. In addition, even for the unsupervised learning tasks like clustering, it is imperative for the cluster partition to be applicable to the samples that are not part of the training set. Training samples can be used in the entire sample space because of its generalizability, which refers to the ability to utilize the learned model in fresh samples.

An attractive feature of machine learning is that though the training set is quite small, it is capable of manifesting its characteristics appropriately in the sample space. Therefore, generalizability is a critical concept that takes machine learning towards a new trend because of its simplicity within a complicated phenomenon. All samples within the sample space are typically presumed to have an unknown “distribution” D, and each sample that is collected is sampled on its, distinct from that distribution, i.e. it is independently and identically distributed (IID). Generally, the greater the number of training samples we have, the greater information we receive.

Induction and Deduction

The two fundamental ways in which scientific reasoning can be carried out are induction and deduction. Induction is basically the “generalization” process, where we move from the specific to the general, that is, the concrete facts are extended to become the general law. On the other hand, the deduction is the “specialization” process, where we move from the general to the specific, that is a concrete context is determined from the fundamental concepts. For instance, within a mathematical axiom system, a theorem related to it is deduced on the basis of a group of axioms and inference rules, whereas “learning from examples” signifies an inductive process, which is why it is also known as “inductive learning”.

Inductive learning may be classified into a narrow sense as well as a broad sense. The narrow sense is also known as “concept learning” or “concept formation”, and needs concepts to be learned from training data, whereas a broad sense is almost the same as learning from a sample. Learning the concept with suitable generalization performance and definite semantic meaning is quite difficult. Nonetheless, it becomes possible to comprehend a few of the fundamental concepts of machine learning with an understanding of concept learning. Bourg concept learning is the most elementary concept learning, which involves learning the target concepts like “yes” and “no” that can be represented by 0/1 Boolean values.

Learning is popular for hypotheses during the discovery and model analysis that takes place in the background. The search is carried out to determine the correct hypothesis. After determining the representation of a hypothesis, the size of the hypothetical space is identified.

To search this assumption space, various approaches can be adopted, for example top-down, bottom-up, or general to special. While the search process is being carried out, any hypothesis that is not consistent with the positive example and/or the hypothesis that is consistent with the negative example can be continually eliminated. Ultimately, the same assumption as the training set that has been accurately judged by all the training samples will be obtained, which is what we learn.

Inductive Preference

For every successful machine learning algorithm, there should be an inductive preference; in case it is not available, then it will be mistaken by the hypothesis of “equivalent” in the training set within the hypothesis space and will not generate precise learning outcomes. It is believed that if no preferences existed, then a model would be developed by our watermelon learning algorithm that randomly chooses the equivalent assumptions on the training set every time it generates predictions. Those learning models that tell us it is good at one time and bad at other times are meaningless.

Inductive preferences are related to the learning algorithm’s assumptions regarding which model is superior. In practical situations, the fact that the assumption is correct or incorrect, that is, the inductive preferences of the algorithm are almost always consistent with the problem, directly decide if appropriate performance can be attained by the algorithm.

Because of its complicated patterns that address deep learning, “over-fitting” is straightforward when there are limited data samples. It is not possible to solve a complex model having an extensive data sample in the absence of robust computing tools. Accurate results are obtained because the “big data era” has commenced for humans. Due to the creation of data storage and computing devices, connectionism learning technology has once again emerged. It is interesting to note that in the mid-1980s, the popularity of neural networks increased once again. This is linked to the increase in computing capability and data access efficiency brought about by the widespread use of Intel X86 microprocessor and memory strip technology.

In this scenario, deep learning is quite identical to neural networks of earlier times. The previous two decades have seen a significant increase in the capability of humans to gather, store, transfer, and process data, because of which a large amount of data has been collected in different aspects of human society. The requirement for computer algorithms that are able to effectively evaluate and use data has become very pressing. An active part has been played by machine learning to meet this pressing need of the Great Age; hence, it is natural to observe a significant increase in the popularity of this field.

There has been an exponential increase in computer science in this decade because several researchers volunteered their time to this field. In addition, researchers were also able to increase the pace at which their research occurred because of machine learning. In the present times, machine learning is present in every part of the world, with endless applications that are using it to provide service to humans. These include facial recognition, Internet marketing, autopilot cars, and bioinformatics that employs protein synthesis. An active involvement has now been shown by various fields in advancing artificial intelligence. It is presumed that in the subsequent years, machine learning will undergo further advancements in unimaginable ways.

The research on bioinformatics includes the entire process from “life phenomena” to “law identification”, which essentially consists of data acquisition, data analysis, data regulation, stimulation testing, etc. Machine learning focuses on data analysis, and machine learning technologies are already working effectively in this domain. Data analytical abilities are offered by machine learning. Data analytical abilities are offered by machine learning, while data processing abilities are offered by cloud computing. Additionally, data tagging abilities are offered by crowdsourcing.

Over-Fitting and Under-Fitting

The phenomena of “over-fitting” or “under-fitting” are frequently experienced in the process of model assessment and adjustment. The machine learning model can essentially be enhanced by successfully recognizing the “over-fitting” and “under-fitting” phenomena and adapting the model accordingly. In the actual project, in particular, several methods may have to be carried out by the algorithm engineer to decrease the risk of experiencing “over-fitting” and “under-fitting”.

If there is a suitable fit between the model and the training samples, but the precision percentage is quite low, then over-fitting has occurred. However, if the fit between the training sample and the model is not good, and the prediction was also accurate, then under-fitting has occurred.

The cost represents an index to determine whether the model corresponds with the training sample. In simple terms, the cost is for each of the training samples, the model was consistent with the actual value of the training samples with an average error. The cost function refers to the functional relationship between the cost and the model parameter. Model training is carried out to determine the suitable model parameters for obtaining the lowest value of the cost function. The cost function is defined as j () and signifies the model parameters.

The most instinctive indicator of the precision of the model is the cost of the test data set Jtest (). When the Jtest () value is small, the variation among the predicted value and the true value of the model is small, which means that the prediction precision of the new data is high. It should be especially ensured that the test data set that is used to determine the precision of the model should not be known to the model.

Ways to Reduce the Risk of Over-Fitting

Begin with the data and collect further training data

The problem of over-fitting can be solved most effectively by collecting a greater amount of training data because further samples can allow the model to learn more effective features and decrease the effect of noise. Adding experimental data directly is generally not easy; however, some changes can be made in the rules to extend training data. For instance, when facing the issue of image classification, it is possible to extend the data by performing image translation, scaling, rotation, etc.

Decrease the complexity of the model

Over-fitting usually arises when the model is too complicated due to fewer data. When the model complexity is decreased sufficiently, then there can be lower sampling noise. For instance, there is a decrease in the network layer and the number of neurons within the neural network, and also in the depth of the tree, and it is shortened in the decision tree model.

Include learning technique

In ensemble learning, various models are combined with one another to decrease the risk of over-fitting of a single model, like the bragging method.

Ways to Reduce Risk of Under-Fitting

Include Novel Features

When the feature is inadequate or the relationship between the current feature and the sample label is not powerful, then the likelihood of the model being under-fitted is quite high. It is possible to achieve improved results by bringing in new features, like “ID class feature”, “context feature” and “combination feature”. There are various models within the deep learning trend that can assist in fulfilling feature engineering, for example, gradient lifting decision tree, factorization machine, deep-crossing, and so on.

Enhance Complexity of the Model

The simple model has weak learning ability, and the fitting ability of the model is strong when it becomes increasingly complex. For instance, higher-order terms are included by the linear model in the neural network model to have a greater number of network layers or number of neurons.

Decrease the Regularization

Coefficient To avoid over-fitting, regularization is used; however, when it seems that the model is under-fitting, then the regularization coefficient has to be decreased.

Datasets and Examples

In general, machine learning is considered as the major means of attaining artificial intelligence, which humans eventually realize on the basis of machine learning and a large amount of data. One of the important branches of machine learning is deep learning. If concentric circles signify the three ranges, then AI refers to the outermost circle, while deep learning is the innermost circle. Artificial intelligence refers to the ability of machines to make decisions that can be made by humans in less than one second. In addition, these machines are also capable of making decisions that one hundred thousand people can make at the same time in a second.

Machine learning includes several concepts, ranging from supervised to unsupervised learning, shallow to deep learning, clustering to regression, and precision to recall. In this article, the definitions of the most significant concepts are presented. Issues are usually faced by machine learning beginners, as well as by experts in the field in achieving the correct training data and test data, and the processing of data requires a significant amount of labor and resources. It is imperative to know the exact procedure that should be followed to transform the different physical objects surrounding us into digital features that can be comprehended by machines. In this article, we will discuss the dataset acquisition and feature extraction method.

In this article, different datasets are presented, for example, SEA, ADFA-LD, and KDD 99. It is explained how the features can be extracted from digital as well as textual data and the way common data can be read. In addition, the article explains how the outcomes of machine learning can be validated.

To learn from training samples using concept markers (classifications), data external to the training sample set should be labeled (classified) as much as possible. All the tags (classifications) from these samples are known. Hence, the training samples are less ambiguous. When a training sample is to be learned in the absence of conceptual markets (classifications), the structural knowledge within the training sample set is to be identified. All the tags in this scenario (classifications) are not known. Hence, there is high ambiguity of the samples. A usual form of unsupervised learning is clustering.

Accuracy and Recall

It is believed that two fundamental indexes are critical in obtaining information and in other procedures like recognition. A significant part is played by these indexes in obtaining an improved understanding of the topic.

Four situations can be considered when examining the issues faced due to precision and recall. The first of these is truly positive, where a perfectly true instance is present. False-positive is the next one, where an event is not true but has been predicted by the machine as being true. The third situation is known as true negative, which indicates that it is completely false and that the system has correctly guessed it. False-negative is the final situation, which suggests that it is not false, but the machine has predicted it as false for different reasons that should be examined.

Datasets

It is very necessary to have datasets and algorithms, and in several cases, data is more significant than algorithms. In this book, the examples used are essentially based on open-source datasets that have been gathered over the course of several years, in addition to test data that has been desensitized to some extent.

HTTP Dataset

Several labeled data are included in the HTTP dataset CSIC 2010, with 36,000 normal requests for web services and 25,000 requests for attacks of SQL injection, information leakage, buffer overflow, XSS, file containment, and so on. There is extensive use of HTTP Dataset in the functional assessment of WAF products.

Alexa Dataset

Global rankings are published on a website known as Alexa. Alexa was created through a search engine in April 1996 (USA) with the objective of allowing Internet users to share virtual global resources and be a significant part of the organization of Internet resources. Over 1,000 GB of information is gathered on a daily basis by Alexa on the web, which not only provides links to almost one billion websites but also gives ranking to every one of them.

At present, Alexa has the highest number of URLs and provides ranking to websites with the most extensive information. Alexa rankings are cited most often when gauging the number of visits to a website. The basis of these rankings is the users who download and install the Alexa toolbar, which then becomes embedded in the browsers they use, like IE and Firefox. Through this toolbar, the websites they visit are monitored, which is why their ranking data may not essentially be authoritative. However, an all-inclusive ranking is offered, as well as information on the evaluation index, visitors ranking, and page traffic ranking. Obtaining a more scientific and rational evaluation reference is not simple. Alexa can be used to download the top one million web domains across the globe in CSV format.

Movie Review Dataset

The dataset on movie review includes various kinds of movie-related data that may be used to perform analysis and testing. This dataset is used to a large extent all through the world because it has simple instructions and can be implemented with ease.

Text Data Extraction

Feature mining in machine learning is taken to be a form of manual task. It is referred to as “feature engineering” by a few people, demonstrating the amount of effort it requires. The most common tasks involved in feature extraction are digital and text features. It is possible to directly use digital features as features; however, when the feature is multi-dimensional, there is an extensive range of values for a single feature, which may cause other features to have an impact on the results being disregarded. The digital features need to be pre-processed at this point.

The complexity of text data extraction features is quite high in comparison to digital features. In essence, they signify word segmentation, where several words are used as a novel feature.

Word set model:

A group of words where there is a single word in every element; there just one word in every word within the word set.

Word bag model:

If a word is present multiple times in a document, count how many times it turns up (frequency).

The two models are different in the sense that the frequency dimension is increased by the word bag on the basis of the word set: the word set is only related with and without, while the word bag is related to several. CSV is the format used most often during data processing, where a vector is recorded in every line of the file, and the final column being marked. A very straightforward way is presented by Tensor Flow to review datasets from CSV files.

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