Page 267 - DCAP310_INTRODUCTION_TO_ARTIFICIAL_INTELLIGENCE_AND_EXPERT_SYSTEMS

Unit 14: Types of Learning

Notes
Figure 14.3: Notation of Generalization

Generalization is the process of extracting shared characteristics from two or more classes, and
combining them into a generalized superclass. Shared characteristics can be attributes,
associations, or methods. In next figure 14.4, the classes Piece of Luggage (1) and Piece of Cargo
(2) partially share the same attributes. From a domain perspective, the two classes are also very
similar. During generalization, the shared characteristics (3) are combined and used to create a
new superclass Freight (4). Piece of Luggage (5) and Piece of Cargo (6) become subclasses of the class
Freight.
Figure 14.4: Example of Generalization

The shared attributes (3) are only listed in the superclass, but also apply to the two subclasses,
even though they are not listed there.

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