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.