SoftwareX (Jul 2022)

EpyNN: Educational python for Neural Networks

  • Florian Malard,
  • Laura Danner,
  • Emilie Rouzies,
  • Jesse G. Meyer,
  • Ewen Lescop,
  • Stéphanie Olivier-Van Stichelen

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 19
p. 101140

Abstract

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Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) have achieved unequaled performance for numerous problems in many areas of Science, Business, Public Policy, and more. While experts are familiar with performance-oriented software and underlying theory, ANNs are difficult to comprehend for non-experts because it requires skills in programming, background in mathematics and knowledge of terminology and concepts. In this work, we release EpyNN, an educational Python resource meant for a public willing to understand key concepts and practical implementation of scalable ANN architectures from concise, homogeneous and idiomatic source code. EpyNN contains an educational Application Programming Interface (API), educational workflows from data preparation to ANN training and a documentation website setting side-by-side code, mathematics, graphical representation and text to facilitate learning and provide teaching material. Overall, EpyNN provides basics in Python for individuals who wish to learn, teach or develop from scratch.

Keywords