Data Mining - Professional SQL Server Analysis Services 2005 with MDX - page 730

gorithm is often used for cross-selling through product placement in the
store.
Neural Networks (SSAS)
The Microsoft Neural Networks algorithm is a classification algorithm similar to Mi-
crosoft Decision Trees and calculates probabilities for each value of the predictable
attribute, but it does so by creating internal classification and regression models
that are iteratively improved based on the actual value. The algorithm has three
layers (the input layer, an optional hidden layer, and an output layer) that are used
to improve the prediction results. The actual value of a training case is compared
to the predictable value and the error difference is fed back within the algorithm to
improve the prediction results. Similar to the decision trees algorithm, the Neural
Network algorithm is used for predicting discrete and continuous attributes. One of
the main advantages of neural networks over the decision trees algorithm is that
neural networks can handle complex as well as large amount of training data much
more efficiently.
Time Series
The Microsoft Time Series algorithm is used in predictive analysis but
is different from other predictive algorithms in Analysis Services 2005
because during prediction it does not take input columns to predict the
predictable column value. Rather, it identifies trends in the input data
and helps predict future values. A typical application of a time series al-
gorithm is to predict the sales of a specific product based on the sales
trend of the product in the past, along with the sales trend of a related
product. Another example would be to predict stock prices of a company
based on the stock price of another company. The Time Series algorithm
is used for predicting continuous attributes.
Microsoft Linear Regression
Microsoft Linear Regression is a special case of Microsoft Decision Tree
algorithm where you set an algorithm property so that the algorithm
will never create a split there by ending up with a linear regression.
The algorithm property MINIMUM_LEAF_CASES for the Microsoft De-