Soft Computing: Coping with Complexity
While it has been correctly noted that the expression "soft computing" is employed in a variety of senses and characterizations to designate a wide array of technologies, we argue that the original motivation for the introduction of soft-computing methods was the need to cope with the complexity of existing mathematical and computational models of real-world systems. We review this essential motivation contending that other apparent distinguishing characteristics-such as the implicit character of some models-are either artifacts of specific treatments or temporary stages in their evolution towards more sophisticated technologies.
soft computing complexity modeling imprecision uncertainty vagueness