The Week I Spent Hand-Coding Neural Networks to Finally Understand Backpropagation

Author(s): Abduldattijo

Originally published on Towards AI.

The Week I Spent Hand-Coding Neural Networks to Finally Understand Backpropagation

I have a confession to make.

In this article, the author chronicles an intense week spent hand-coding neural networks from scratch using NumPy to gain a deeper understanding of backpropagation, moving from high-level frameworks like PyTorch and TensorFlow to a more foundational approach. Throughout the week, they faced challenges such as correctly implementing the chain rule, debugging issues with gradients, and grappling with the complexity of deeper networks. In the end, the author highlights the transformative effect this immersive experience had on their relationship with machine learning, emphasizing how building from scratch leads to a profound grasp of the material, improved debugging abilities, and a richer appreciation for the power of frameworks.

Read the full blog for free on Medium.

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Published via Towards AI