Although activations can be propagated through the network without patterns defined, learning can be performed only with patterns present. A set of patterns belonging to the same task is called a pattern set. Normally there are two dedicated pattern sets when dealing with a neural network. The pattern set loaded last is made the current pattern set.
All actions performed with the simulator refer only to, and affect only the current pattern set.
It opens up a list of loaded pattern sets from which a new one can be selected. The name of the current pattern set is displayed to the right of the button. The name equals the name body of the loaded pattern file. Loaded pattern sets can be removed from main memory with the button in the control panel. Just like the button it opens a list of loaded pattern sets, from which any set can be deleted.