Scikit-learn in Python: Features, Prerequisites, Pros & Cons

You must realize how important it is to have a robust library if you are a regular Python programmer. When it comes to free Machine Learning libraries for Python, scikit-learn is the best you can get! Sklearn, or scikit-learn in Python, is a free library that simplifies the task of coding and applying Machine Learning algorithms in Python.

Besides supporting Python scientific and numerical libraries like SciPy and NumPy, scikit-learn features a host of different algorithms like random forests, support vector machines, and neighbors. It's also widely used in Artificial Intelligence development, making it a go-to tool for building intelligent systems that can classify data, make predictions, or detect patterns.

So, let’s get to know some of the fundamental aspects of one of the essential Machine Learning tools you can find.

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What is sklearn or scikit-learn in Python?

Sklearn or scikit-learn in Python is by far one of the most useful open-source libraries available that you can use for Machine Learning in Python. The scikit-learn library is an exhaustive collection of the most efficient tools for statistical modeling and Machine Learning. Some of these tools include regression, classification, dimensionality reduction, and clustering. 

The scikit-learn library is primarily written in Python and built upon SciPy, NumPy, and Matplotlib. The library uses a unified and consistent Python interface to implement various pre-processing, Machine Learning, visualization, and cross-validation algorithms.

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A brief history of Scikit-learn 

Known initially as scikit-learn, sklearn in Python was developed by David Cournapeau in 2007 as part of Google’s summer of code project. Subsequently, Gael Varoquaux, Fabian Pedregosa, Alexandre Gramfort, and Vincent Michel, from the French Institute for Research in Computer Science and Automation, publicly released a v0.1 beta version in the year 2010.

Since then, newer versions of scikit-learn have been released, with the latest version 0.23.1 released in May 2020. Scikit-learn is a community-driven project where anyone can contribute towards its development. Microsoft, Intel, and NVIDIA are among the project’s top sponsors.

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Essential features of scikit-learn 

The Machine Learning library scikit-learn in Python comes with a load of features to simplify Machine Learning. Here we will discuss some of them:

• Supervised learning algorithms: Any supervised Machine Learning algorithm that you may have heard of has a very high possibility of belonging to the scikit-learn library. The scikit-learn toolkit has a repertoire of such supervised learning algorithms, which includes – Generalized linear models such as Linear regression, Decision Trees, Support Vector Machines, and Bayesian methods. 
• Unsupervised learning algorithms: This algorithm collection includes factoring, cluster analysis, principal component analysis, and unsupervised neural networks.
• Feature extraction: Using scikit-learn, you can extract features from text and images.
• Cross-validation: The accuracy and validity of supervised models on unseen data can be checked with the help of scikit-learn.
• Dimensionality Reduction: With this feature, the number of attributes in data can be reduced for subsequent visualization, summarization, and feature selection.
• Clustering: This feature allows the grouping of unlabeled data.
• Ensemble methods: The predictions of several supervised models can be combined by using this feature.

Read more: 6 Types of Supervised Learning You Must Know About

Prerequisites to starting scikit-learn

Before you begin using the latest release of scikit-learn, make sure you have installed the following libraries:

• Python (>=3.5)
• NumPy (>= 1.11.0)
• SciPy (>= 0.17.0)li
• Joblib (>= 0.11)
• Matplotlib (>= 1.5.1): this library is required for scikit-learn plotting capabilities.
• Pandas (>= 0.18.0): this is required for data structure and analysis.

Installing scikit-learn

You can follow either one of the following two methods for scikit-learn installation:

• Using pip

 – Scikit-learn can be installed via pip and the command line for the same is as follows:

pip install -U scikit-learn

• Using conda

 – Scikit-learn can also be installed via conda and the command line used as follows:

conda install scikit-learn

If you do not have NumPy and SciPy installed, you can install them via pip or conda. Anaconda and Canopy are two other Python distributions that can be used to learn the latest scikit-learn version.

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Pros and cons of scikit-learn

Pros:

• The library is distributed under the BSD license, making it free with minimum legal and licensing restrictions.
• It is easy to use.
• The scikit-learn library is very versatile and handy and serves real-world purposes like the prediction of consumer behavior, the creation of neuroimages, etc.
• Scikit-learn is backed and updated by numerous authors, contributors, and a vast international online community.
• The scikit-learn website provides elaborate API documentation for users who want to integrate the algorithms with their platforms.

Con:

• It is not the best choice for in-depth learning.

Learn more: How does Unsupervised Machine Learning Work?

Conclusion

The growth and popularity of Machine Learning language call for efficient tools, and sklearn in Python serves the need for beginners as well as those solving supervised learning problems. Efficiency and versatility of use make scikit-learn one of the prime choices of academic and industrial organizations for performing various operations.

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