Soft computing

Introduction to soft computing

Soft computing is an umbrella term used to describe types of algorithms that produce
approximate solutions to unsolvable high-level problems in computer science. Typically,
traditional hard-computing algorithms heavily rely on concrete data and mathematical
models to produce solutions to problems. Soft computing was coined in the late 20th
century.[1] During this period, revolutionary research in three fields greatly impacted soft
computing. Fuzzy logic is a computational paradigm that entertains the uncertainties in
data by using levels of truth rather than rigid 0s and 1s in binary. Next, neural networks
which are computational models influenced by human brain functions. Finally,
evolutionary computation is a term to describe groups of algorithm that mimic natural
processes such as evolution and natural selection.

In the context of artificial intelligence and machine learning, soft computing provides
tools to handle real-world uncertainties. Its methods supplement preexisting methods for
better solutions. Today, the combination with artificial intelligence has led to hybrid
intelligence systems that merge various computational algorithms. Expanding the
applications of artificial intelligence, soft computing leads to robust solutions. Key points
include tackling ambiguity, flexible learning, grasping intricate data, real-world
applications, and ethical artificial intelligence.

Computational techniques

Fuzzy logic

Fuzzy logic is an aspect of computing that handles approximate reasoning.

Typically, binary logic allows computers to make decisions on true or false reasons (0s
and 1s); however, introducing fuzzy logic allows systems to handle the unknowns
between 0 and 1.

Unlike classical sets that allow members to be entirely within or out, fuzzy sets allow
partial membership by incorporating "graduation" between sets. Fuzzy logic operations
include negation, conjunction, and disjunction, which handle membership between data
sets.
Fuzzy rules are logical statements that map the correlation between input and output
parameters. They set the rules needed to trace variable relationships linguistically, and
they would not be possible without linguistic variables. Linguistic variables represent
values typically not quantifiable, allowing uncertainties.

Neural networks

Neural networks are computational models that attempt to mimic the structure and
functioning of the human brain. While computers typically use binary logic to solve
problems, neural networks attempt to provide solutions for complicated problems by
enabling systems to think human-like, which is essential to soft computing.

Neural networks revolve around perceptrons, which are artificial neurons structured
in layers. Like the human brain, these interconnected nodes process information using
complicated mathematical operations.

Through training, the network handles input and output data streams and adjusts
parameters according to the provided information. Neural networks help make soft
computing extraordinarily flexible and capable of handling high-level problems.

In soft computing, neural networks aid in pattern recognition, predictive modeling, and
data analysis. They are also used in image recognition, natural language
processing, speech recognition, and systems.

Evolutionary computation

Evolutionary computation is a field in soft computing that uses the principles of natural
selection and evolution to solve complicated problems. It promotes the discovery of
diverse solutions within a solution space, encouraging near-perfect solutions. It finds
satisfactory solutions by using computational models and types of evolutionary
algorithms. Evolutionary computation consists of algorithms that mimic natural selection,
such as genetic algorithms, genetic programming, evolution strategies and evolutionary
programming. These algorithms use crossover, mutation, and selection.

Crossover, or recombination, exchanges data between nodes to diversify data and

handle more outcomes. Mutation is a genetic technique that helps prevent the
premature conclusion to a suboptimal solution by diversifying an entire range of
solutions. It helps new optimal solutions in solution sets that help the overall
optimization process. Selection is an operator that chooses which solution from a
current population fits enough to transition to the next phase. These drive genetic
programming to find optimal solutions by ensuring the survival of only the fittest
solutions in a set.
In soft computing, evolutionary computation helps applications of data mining (using
large sets of data to find patterns), robotics, optimizing, and engineering methods.

Hybrid intelligence systems

Hybrid intelligence systems combine the strengths of soft computing components to

create integrated computational models. Artificial techniques such as fuzzy logic, neural
networks, and evolutionary computation combine to solve problems efficiently. These
systems improve judgment, troubleshooting, and data analysis. Hybrid intelligence
systems help overcome the limitations of individual AI approaches to improve
performance, accuracy, and adaptability to address dynamic problems. It advances soft
computing capabilities in data analysis, pattern recognition, and systems.

Applications

Due to their dynamic versatility, soft computing models are precious tools that confront
complex real-world problems. They are applicable in numerous industries and research
fields:

Soft computing fuzzy logic and neural networks help with pattern recognition, image
processing, and computer vision. Its versatility is vital in natural language processing as
it helps decipher human emotions and language. They also aid in data mining
and predictive analysis by obtaining priceless insights from enormous datasets. Soft
computing helps optimize solutions from energy, financial forecasts, environmental and
biological data modeling, and anything that deals with or requires models.

Within the medical field, soft computing is revolutionizing disease detection, creating
plans to treat patients and models of healthcare.

Challenges and limitations

Soft computing methods such as neural networks and fuzzy models are complicated
and may need clarification. Sometimes, it takes effort to understand the logic behind
neural network algorithms' decisions, making it challenging for a user to adopt them. In
addition, it takes valuable, costly resources to feed models extensive data sets, and
sometimes it is impossible to acquire the computational resources necessary. There are
also significant hardware limitations which limits the computational power.
The following are some of the reasons why soft computing is
needed:

1. Complexity of real-world problems: Many real-world problems are

complex and involve uncertainty, vagueness, and imprecision. Traditional
computing methods are not well-suited to handle these complexities.
2. Incomplete information: In many cases, there is a lack of complete and
accurate information available to solve a problem. Soft computing
techniques can provide approximate solutions even in the absence of
complete information.
3. Noise and uncertainty: Real-world data is often noisy and uncertain, and
classical methods can produce incorrect results when dealing with such
data. Soft computing techniques are designed to handle uncertainty and
imprecision.
4. Non-linear problems: Many real-world problems are non-linear, and
classical methods are not well-suited to solve them. Soft computing
techniques such as fuzzy logic and neural networks can handle non-linear
problems effectively.
5. Human-like reasoning: Soft computing techniques are designed to mimic
human-like reasoning, which is often more effective in solving complex
problems.
Overall, soft computing provides an effective and efficient way to solve
complex real-world problems that are difficult or impossible to solve using
classical computing methods.
In this article, we will cover the need for soft computing and why it is
important. So, to understand the need for soft computing let us first
understand the concept of computing.

Concept of computing :
According to the concept of computing, the input is called an antecedent and
the output is called the consequent. For example, Adding information in
DataBase, Compute the sum of two numbers using a C program, etc.

There are two types of computing as following :

1. Hard computing

2. soft computing
Characteristics of hard computing :

 The precise result is guaranteed.

 The control action is unambiguous.

 The control action is formally defined (i.e. with a mathematical model)

Now, the question arises that if we have hard computing then why do we
require the need for soft computing.

Characteristics of soft computing :

 It may not yield a precise solution.

 Algorithms are adaptive.

 In soft computing, you can consider an example where you can see the
evolution changes for a specific species like the human nervous system
and behavior of an Ant's, etc.

 Learning from experimental data.

Need For Soft Computing :

 Many analytical models are valid for ideal cases. Real-world problems
exist in a non-ideal environment.

 Soft computing provides insights into real-world problems and is just not
limited to theory.

 Hard computing is best suited for solving mathematical problems which

give some precise answers.

 Some important fields like Biology, Medicine and humanities, etc are still
intractable using Convention mathematical and Analytical models.

 It is possible to map the human mind with the help of Soft computing but it
is not possible with Convention mathematical and Analytical models.

Examples -
Consider a problem where a string w1 is "abc" and string w2 is "abd".

 Problem-1 :
Tell that whether w1 is the same as w2 or not?

Solution -
The answer is simply No, it means there is an algorithm by which we can
analyze it.

 Problem-2 :
Tell how much these two strings are similar?
 Solution -
The answer from conventional computing is either YES or NO. But these
maybe 80% similar, this can be answered only by Soft Computing.

Recent development in Soft Computing :

1. In the field of Big Data, soft computing working for data analyzing models,
data behavior models, data decision, etc.

2. In case of Recommender system, soft computing plays an important role

for analyzing the problem on the based of algorithm and works for precise
results.

3. In Behavior and decision science, soft computing used in this for

analyzing the behavior, and model of soft computing works accordingly.

4. In the fields of Mechanical Engineering, soft computing is a role model for

computing problems such that how a machine will works and how it will
make the decision for a specific problem or input given.

5. In this field of Computer Engineering, you can say it is core part of soft
computing and computing working on advanced level like Machine
learning, Artificial intelligence, etc.

Advantages of Soft Computing:

1. Robustness: Soft computing techniques are robust and can handle

uncertainty, imprecision, and noise in data, making them ideal for solving
real-world problems.
2. Approximate solutions: Soft computing techniques can provide
approximate solutions to complex problems that are difficult or impossible
to solve exactly.
3. Non-linear problems: Soft computing techniques such as fuzzy logic and
neural networks can handle non-linear problems effectively.
4. Human-like reasoning: Soft computing techniques are designed to mimic
human-like reasoning, which is often more effective in solving complex
problems.
5. Real-time applications: Soft computing techniques can provide real-time
solutions to complex problems, making them ideal for use in real-time
applications.

Disadvantages of Soft Computing:

1. Approximate solutions: Soft computing techniques provide approximate

solutions, which may not always be accurate.
2. Computationally intensive: Soft computing techniques can be
computationally intensive, making them unsuitable for use in some real-
time applications.
3. Lack of transparency: Soft computing techniques can sometimes lack
transparency, making it difficult to understand how the solution was
arrived at.
4. Difficulty in validation: The approximation techniques used in soft
computing can sometimes make it difficult to validate the results, leading
to a lack of confidence in the solution.
5. Complexity: Soft computing techniques can be complex and difficult to
understand, making it difficult to implement them effectively.

Genetic Algorithm in Soft Computing

The genetic algorithm was introduced by Prof. John Holland in 1965. It is used
to solve problems based on principles of natural selection, that come under
evolutionary algorithm. They are usually used for optimization problems like
maximization and minimization of objective functions, which are of two types
of an ant colony and swarm particle. It follows biological processes like
genetics and evolution.

Functions of the Genetic Algorithm

The genetic algorithm can solve the problems which cannot be solved in real-
time also known as the NP-Hard problem. The complicated problems which
cannot be solved mathematically can be easily solved by applying the genetic
algorithm. It is a heuristic search or randomized search method, which
provides an initial set of solutions and generate a solution to the problem
efficiently and effectively.
A simple way of understanding this algorithm is by considering the following
example of a person who wants to invest some money in the bank, we know
there are different banks available with different schemes and policies. Its
individual interest how much amount to be invested in the bank, so that he
can get maximum profit. There are certain criteria for the person that is, how
he can invest and how can he get profited by investing in the bank. These
criteria can be overcome by the “Evolutional Computing” algorithm like genetic
computing.

genetic – algorithm
Difference Between Hard Computing and Soft Computing
The difference between hard computing and soft computing are as follows

Hard Computing Soft Computing

 The analytical model required by hard computing  It is based on uncertainty, partial tr
must be precisely represented imprecision and approximation.
 Computation time is more  Computation time is less
 It depends on binary logic, numerical systems,
crisp software.  Based on approximation and dispo
 Sequential computation  Parallel computation
 Gives exact output  Gives appropriate output
 Examples: Traditional methods of computing using Example: Neural networks like Ada
our personal computer. ART networks, etc.
Advantages
The benefits of soft computing are

 The simple mathematical calculation is performed

 Good efficiency
 Applicable in real-time
 Based on human reasoning.
Disadvantages
The disadvantages of soft computing are

 It gives an approximate output value

 If a small error occurs the entire system stops working, to overcome its
entire system must be corrected from the beginning, which is time taking
process.