190 Chapter 7 ConneCtionist Models
An artificial neural network is connectionist model of programming
using computers. An ANN attempts to give computers human-like abilities
by mimicking the human brain’s functionality. The human brain consists of
a network of more than a hundred billion interconnected neurons. Neu-
rons are individual cells that can process small amounts of information and
then activate other neurons to continue the process. If an ANN is success-
fully implemented, machines like personal computers can be used more
effectively in various areas of problem solving and decision making. Typical
artificial intelligence (AI) methodology deals with the symbolic represen-
tation of knowledge, whereas ANN models