A new editioan of a classic work that helped define the field for over a quarter century, this practical book updates and expands the original work, focusing a pattern classification and the immense progress it has experienced in recent years. Special features include: Clear explanations of both classical and new methods, neural networks, stochastic methods, genetic algorithms, and theory of learning; Over 350 high-quality, two-color illustrations highlighting various concepts; Numerios worked examples; Pseodocode for pattern recognition algorithms; Expanded , keyed specifically to the text; Complete exercises, linked to the text; Algorithms to explain specific pattern-recognition and learning techniques; Historical remarks and important references at the and of chapters; Appendices covering the necessary mathematical background. //ir