Presents algorithms that enable computers to train themselves to automate tasks, focusing on specific problems such as prediction, optimization, and classification.
This volume on machine learning provides a detailed explanation of key concepts and theories of data analysis through an exploration of a series of case studies in computer programming for specific analysis tasks. The text requires an intermediate to advanced background in general "hacking" and the UNIX or Linux command line. Chapters discuss such topics as using R for data analysis, data exploration, spam filtering as an example project, ranking, regression and regularization, optimization, and analyzing social graphs. Chapters include numerous code examples and illustrations and access to additional online resources is provided. Conway is a former US defense intelligence analyst and White is doctoral student at Princeton University and a contributor to the R software project. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)