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<Implementing Linear Regression in C++: A Comprehensive Guide>

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Linear regression is a method used to represent the relationship between an independent variable and a dependent variable by fitting a linear equation to observed data. For instance, one might model the weights of individuals based on their heights with a linear equation.

This piece is part of a broader series focused on the application of machine learning algorithms in C++. Throughout the series, we will explore fundamental machine learning concepts using C++ functionalities.

Here are some upcoming topics in the series: - When to Learn Machine Learning with C++ - Data Preprocessing and Visualization in C++ - Data Manipulation for Machine Learning in C++ - Building Naive Bayes from Scratch in C++ - Implementing Linear Regression in C++ - Essential Reading for C++ Developers - Key Reads for Machine Learning Practitioners

Before attempting to model the relationship in your data, it’s crucial to check for a linear correlation, which can often be visualized effectively through a scatter plot.

The equation for a linear regression line is represented as Y = a + bX, where X denotes the independent variable and Y is the dependent variable. In this equation, b signifies the slope of the line, while a is the y-intercept, indicating the value of Y when X equals zero.

In this article, we will focus on building a Simple Linear Regression model. This model deals with two-dimensional data points, incorporating one independent variable and one dependent variable, aiming to establish a linear function that predicts the dependent variable based on the independent variable.

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When conducting simple linear regression (or any regression analysis), you will generate a line of best fit. Typically, data points won't perfectly align with this line; they will be dispersed around it.

A residual refers to the vertical distance between a specific data point and the regression line. Each data point has one residual, which is positive if the point lies above the regression line and negative if it is below it. If the regression line intersects a data point, the residual for that point is zero.

The main objective is to minimize the total residual error to ascertain the line of best fit. For further theoretical insights, I suggest reviewing the following resources:

This brief introduction by Dr. Jan Jensen is a great starting point.

Additionally, you can read this informative article:

Understanding the Theory of Linear Regression

An Overview of Linear Regression Fundamentals

towardsdatascience.com

To simplify, the equations we will use are:

For clarity, we can break it down into the following components:

Now, let’s dive into the implementation of Linear Regression.

# Step 1: Calculating the Coefficients The first step involves creating a function to compute the coefficients. The expected format for the equation is Y = a + bX, so we need to calculate values for a and b based on the previously mentioned relationships.

  1. Compute the mean of the dependent variable and the independent variable.
  2. Determine SS_XY, which is the sum of the element-wise multiplication of the dependent variable vector and the independent variable vector.
  3. Calculate SS_XX, the sum of the element-wise multiplication of the independent variable vector with itself.
  4. Derive the B_1 coefficient by dividing SS_XY by SS_XX.
  5. Finally, calculate the B_0 coefficient.

# Step 2: Implementing the Class We will focus on training just two private variables, which will hold the coefficients. For the Fit API, it should accept a dataset represented as vectors for both dependent and independent variables, estimate the coefficients based on these vectors, and store them in the private variables.

The next task is to implement the Predict API, which will take a value of the independent variable and return the estimated dependent variable value using the linear regression equation.

# Step 3: Example Usage Here’s an example demonstrating how to use the Linear Model we just developed. We will create an instance of the class with float types, fitting this model to the independent and dependent variable vectors.

We will then test the model by predicting values and displaying the results post-fitting.

Note that for debugging purposes, I have made the b_0 and b_1 coefficients public.

I also utilized matplotlibcpp to visualize the output, comparing predicted values against the original dataset.

For an introduction to using matplotlibcpp, refer to this article:

Data Preprocessing and Visualization in C++

A Practical Code Guide for Implementing Core Machine Learning Functions in C++

towardsdatascience.com

The implementation of linear regression is straightforward. It is a potent statistical tool used to derive insights into consumer behavior, analyze business dynamics, and identify factors affecting profitability. Businesses can leverage linear regression to assess trends and make forecasts.

If you need a refresher on C++, consider watching this tutorial:

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You might also find the following articles interesting:

Comprehensive Guide to Transformers

Attention is All You Need and More

pub.towardsai.net

Version Control for ML Models: Importance, Definition, and Implementation

Why Version Control Matters in Software Development, Especially in Machine Learning

medium.com

I hope you find this article beneficial. Make sure to follow for notifications on new articles in this series.

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