Essentials of Machine Learning Algorithms (with Python and R Codes) - Part 1

Essentials of ML Algorithms (with Python and R Codes)

We are probably living in the most defining period of human history. The period when computing moved from large mainframes to PCs to cloud. But what makes it defining is not what has happened, but what is coming our way in years to come.

What makes this period exciting for someone like me is the democratization of the tools and techniques, which followed the boost in computing. Today, as a data scientist, I can build data crunching machines with complex algorithms for a few dollars per hour. But, reaching here wasn’t easy! I had my dark days and nights.

Who can benefit the most from this guide?

What I am giving out today is probably the most valuable guide, I have ever created.

The idea behind creating this guide is to simplify the journey of aspiring data scientists and machine learning enthusiasts across the world. Through this guide, I will enable you to work on machine learning problems and gain from experience. I am providing a high level understanding about various machine learning algorithms along with R & Python codes to run them. These should be sufficient to get your hands dirty.

I have deliberately skipped the statistics behind these techniques, as you don’t need to understand them at the start. So, if you are looking for statistical understanding of these algorithms, you should look elsewhere. But, if you are looking to equip yourself to start building machine learning project, you are in for a treat.

Broadly, there are 3 types of Machine Learning Algorithms..

• Supervised Learning

How it works: This algorithm consist of a target / outcome variable (or dependent variable) which is to be predicted from a given set of predictors (independent variables). Using these set of variables, we generate a function that map inputs to desired outputs. The training process continues until the model achieves a desired level of accuracy on the training data. Examples of Supervised Learning: Regression, Decision Tree, Random Forest, KNN, Logistic Regression etc.

• Unsupervised Learning

How it works: In this algorithm, we do not have any target or outcome variable to predict / estimate. It is used for clustering population in different groups, which is widely used for segmenting customers in different groups for specific intervention. Examples of Unsupervised Learning: Apriori algorithm, K-means.

• Reinforcement Learning

How it works: Using this algorithm, the machine is trained to make specific decisions. It works this way: the machine is exposed to an environment where it trains itself continually using trial and error. This machine learns from past experience and tries to capture the best possible knowledge to make accurate business decisions. Example of Reinforcement Learning: Markov Decision Process

List of Common Machine Learning Algorithms

Here is the list of commonly used machine learning algorithms. These algorithms can be applied to almost any data problem:

1. Linear Regression

2. Logistic Regression

3. Decision Tree

4. SVM

5. Naive Bayes

6. KNN

7. K-Means

8. Random Forest

9. Dimensionality Reduction Algorithms

10. Gradient Boost & Adaboost

We will go through each algorithm in upcoming series.

#MachineLearning