IVOA KDD-IG: A user guide for Data Mining in Astronomy

5: Which algorithm to use?

Unfortunately, there is no simple answer, because the differing characteristics of different algorithms render them more or less suitable for different problems. While within in the data mining community there is much literature, for example, comparing different algorithms on a specific dataset, or looking at their theoretical properties in idealized (read: unrealistic) situations, there is much less available to help make a practical choice with real data. We attempt to remedy that here by comparing and contrasting the characteristics of some commonly used algorithms.

Under construction by group members

-- NickBall - 05 Sep 2010