Recent progress in network design demonstrates that nonlinear feedforward neural networks can perform impressive pattern classification for a variety of real-world applications (e.g., Le Cun et al., 1990; Waibel et al., 1989). Various simulations and relationships between the neural network and machine learning theoretical literatures also suggest that too large a number of free parameters ("weight overfitting") could substantially reduce generalization performance.

Recent progress in network design demonstrates that nonlinear feedforward neural networks can perform impressive pattern classification for a variety of real-world applications (e.g., Le Cun et al., 1990; Waibel et al., 1989). Various simulations and relationships between the neural network and machine learning theoretical literatures also suggest that too large a number of free parameters ("weight overfitting") could substantially reduce generalization performance.

Recent progress in network design demonstrates that nonlinear feedforward neural networkscan perform impressive pattern classification for a variety of real-world applications (e.g., Le Cun et al., 1990; Waibel et al., 1989). Various simulations and relationships between the neural network and machine learning theoretical literatures alsosuggest that too large a number of free parameters ("weight overfitting") could substantially reduce generalization performance.