Constructive/Destructive NN Algorithms

[nelsonde%avlab.dnet@wrdc.af.mil]

                  I N T E R O F F I C E   M E M O R A N D U M

                                        Date:     11-Dec-1990 10:27am EST
                                        From:     Dale E. Nelson
                                                  NELSONDE
                                        Dept:     AAAT-1
                                        Tel No:   57646

TO:  Remote Addressee                     ( _LABDDN::"CONNECTIONISTS at CS.CMU.EDU" )
TO:  Dennis S. Buck                       ( BUCKDS )


Subject: Constructive/Destructive NN Algorithms

First, let me apologize for the formal formatting of this, but my access is 
through All-In-One and that is the way it comes out.

I know from the NIPS Workshop, that there is intense interest in networks that 
develop their own topology during the training.  I personally have had problems 
when refering to this class of algorithms.  If they are called evolutionary 
networks, pepole say that you are using genetic algorithms.  Well, that *could* 
be true, but that is too limiting.  I would like to propose, for discussion, a 
possible name for this class of networks.  This would give all researchers a 
single keyword which would facilitate searches and other research efforts.

The term for these networks, which I would like to propose, is Ontogenic Neural 
Networks.  This is based on the word ontogeny which is defined as:

	The development or developmental history of an individual organism.

Ontogenic is the adjective form of the word.

I hope that we can generate a dialogue and perhaps come to agreement on a 
terminology for this class of networks.  What do you think???

Dale E. Nelson
nelsonde%avlab.dnet at wrdc.af.mil