ML.NET: The Future of Machine Learning? Cost, Gain & Impact Explored!


Abhishek Founder & CFO cisin.com
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Unlocking the Potential of ML.NET: Cost, Gain & Impact Explored!

For around a decade, ASP.NET development services have been thriving among numerous development companies. But experts believe asp.net application development will soon be replaced by cross-platform applications such as ML.NET.

This article will discuss the impressive integration of .NET and Machine Learning technologies. Moreover, I list some bullets on its features, core architecture, and how it would be helpful for your business. So, Let's begin.


What Is ML.NET?

What Is ML.NET?

A blend of machine learning and .net programming language is ML.NET. Microsoft launched this unique mixture of technologies as an open-source and cross-platform system. Machine learning has been open-sourced by Microsoft to integrate it with the .net framework. ML.NET is a result of research of about ten years. Its first version (0.1.0) was released in May '18; however, we have been served with its 0.7.0 version too. ML.Net would allow developers to build machine learning models in any .NET language, which can be further used on any device.

With ML.NET, programmers could build modern solutions with customized machine learning. This would be easy for them as they will not be required to learn all the underlying technical details of developing machine learning solutions. ML.NET would enable .net development company to leverage Machine Learning technology for the following tasks:

  • Clustering.
  • Regression (price prediction, forecasting).
  • Classification (sentiment analysis, text categorization).

Details Of ML.NET Release

Details Of ML.NET Release

The addition of such integrated technologies to our table is beneficial. The world is aligning towards modern technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), AR/VR, Blockchain, and many more. These technologies are simplifying our life in every field.

ML.NET is fluent in its syntax and also offers an easy-to-use API. It also utilized parallel terminology with frameworks such as Keras, Tensorflow, sci-kit-learn, et cetera. It's, therefore, highly developer-friendly. Let's now understand the technical aspect of ML.NET:

  • ML.NET framework by Microsoft would be supported and compatible with macOS, Linux, and Windows with a 64-bit or any latest .NET core.
  • Similar to Microsoft's other products, such as Azure, Bing, and Windows, ML.NET can also be accessed by the same channel.
  • With its latest version, ML.NET is equipped with native tensorflow support.
  • It would support ONNX (open neural network exchange), which would help export the model from one framework to another. [for more information, you can visit onnx.ai].
    • Supported by: Caffe2, MXNext, CNTKK, PyTorch.
    • ONNXML Tools: Keras, Apple CoreML, xgboost, libSVM, sci-kit-learn (only for 64-bit).
  • It was recently announced that infer.NET, a Core project developed by the Microsoft Research Cambridge team, would be supported by ML.NET. It's a framework for graphical models. Additionally, it can be employed for probabilistic programming.

Note: Tensorflow is an open-source library for machine learning professionals.


ML.NET: Its Key Features

ML.NET: Its Key Features

The features included in the first release of the ML.NET framework consisted of training and predictive models. However, there were some core components like transforms, core machine-learning data structures, and learning algorithms. ML.NET has been updated nearly every month since its launch. Developers have also witnessed a significant change in its features. It has become developer friendly with a pipeline application program interface (API).

With all these technical details and features of ML.NET, asp net application development is undoubtedly going to face tough competition in the development world. A machine learning framework for.NET programmers is called ML.NET. It is essential to have ML.NET, a machine learning framework for.NET developers. Globally, there are more than six million .NET programmers. This machine-learning library may be used with both C# and F# and is free.

ML.NET's key features:

Open-Source: Microsoft has been a strong advocate for open-source software for many years. As a result, ML.NET is made available under a license that enables free distribution, modification, and even source code alteration. This license would allow the ongoing development of ML.NET.

Cross-Platform: Launched as a cross-platform application, ML.NET, This makes it possible to develop, run, consume, and implement programs across various computing systems.

Code First: Typically, the design of machine learning applications is dictated by the domain. Instead of concentrating first on databases, ML.NET focuses on defining classes for domain entities.

On-Premises: Various functions for machine learning, deep Learning, and other topics are available through ML.NET. Using Deep Learning in the Cloud would increase cloud computing resources, even though Machine Learning does not require a lot of processing, leading to a high monthly charge. ML.NET is also designed to work with On-Premises architecture.

Deep Learning Model Inference: Deep learning models can be inferred using ML.NET. This allows you to predict using a DNN model trained without having previously seen data. Deep Learning is inference. It uses this to classify images when it receives them as inputs. This feature is available in ML.NET, so developers can easily support Deep Learning.

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Traditional Programming Vs. Machine Learning

Traditional Programming Vs. Machine Learning

In conventional programming, data and rules are used. The output finds the solutions and completes the tasks based on the rules and data. The software can use logic to determine whether the room is hot or cool. If the temperature is above 28 degrees Celsius (>28C), the computer will decide if it is hot.

Suppose we wish to design a thermal comfort system. The house's sensors must be integrated into the system to locate humans. The switches can then be turned on or off, and the rooms can be heated accordingly. Machine Learning can do this. The traditional programming approach to basic logic would make it nearly impossible to solve the problem.


Machine Learning Process

Machine Learning Process

Data: Raw data can also be structured. If the data is of excellent quality, you can have it in any format.

Data Preparation: Cleaning up and arranging the data and preparing them for modeling are all part of the data preparation step.

Model Training: Depending on their intended use, different algorithms are used to train the models.

Evaluate: The model is put through more testing and training once it has been examined and tested until it is regarded as a good model. A better prediction model may now be created at this time.

Deploy: They tested the data and are now deploying it as required.

Monitor: This process is continuously monitored to ensure that the data is incorporated over time. This allows the system to be retrained and improve its machine learning system. This is the advantage of machine learning, as better data can lead to better models, which can then be trained and tested over time to build and improve accuracy. Machine learning tasks can be carried out using the program ML.NET.

Sentiment Analysis: Binary categorization methods make it simple to examine customer reviews.

Fraud Detection: With technologies like Azure anomaly detection, ML.NET can simplify the process of detecting credit card fraud.

Product Recommendation: Today, e-commerce websites like Amazon and Facebook use product recommendations a lot. Using ML.NET, similar product recommendation models can be quickly developed and implemented.

Sales Spike Detection: Anomaly detection can spot changes in product sales and growth peaks for various products.

Price Detection: Regression algorithms can be used to detect the price of cases like ride-sharing. Based on the distance traveled, this is achievable with ML.NET.

Object Detection: ONNX DNN and ML.NET can also be used to create the object detection system.

Image Classification: Image categorization is simple because TensorFlow is compatible with ML.NET. Applications and systems can be developed using these features.

Customer Segmentation: ML.NET supports clustering algorithms that allow customers to be identified in groups.

Sales Forecasting: Regression algorithms based on past data can help forecast sales for the future. Clustering, binary classification, and regression are just a few other applications for ML.NET. Over time, ML.NET can be applied in a wide range of different contexts.


Some Common Machine Learning Techniques

To address various machine-learning problems, ML.NET employs numerous machine-learning approaches. Regardless of how straightforward or sophisticated they are, each of these methods has its own advantages. Even though ML.NET's framework doesn't feature all machine-learning techniques, it does have enough to get any .net development company started using machine learning.

Linear Regression: One of the most fundamental machine learning methods is linear regression. One or more dependent variables and one independent variable are modeled using linear regression. This is used to predict data points' outcomes and create a trend line. In contrast to the linear regression approach, ML.NET provides solutions for complex regression issues.

Decision Trees: Decision trees are simple to understand and intuitive. Decision trees can be made using a variety of algorithms. The benefit of decision trees is that they are rapid, precise, and easy to understand. Decision trees are represented using binary trees from a node, which represents a decision based on an input variable, to a leaf, which means a prediction. FastTree, an effective Multiple Additive Regression Trees solution, is also part of ML.NET. Like decision trees, regression trees also have scalar values in their leaves. Problems, including ranking, regression, and binary classification, can be successfully handled by FastTree.

Artificial Neural Networks: Popular machine-learning algorithms include artificial neural networks. Synapses and neurons are arranged in layers to represent artificial neural networks.

The basic mathematical concepts that underlie neural networks are linear algebra and calculus. The input for the following layer is produced by multiplying the input vector by a matrix weights, then adding that result to a constant bias. Forward propagation is the next step in an artificial neural network. However, forward propagation does not allow for Learning. Artificial neural networks' loss is optimized by backpropagation to produce Learning. Numerous algorithms may be used to accomplish this. Still, the most popular one is to compute the partial derivative and adjust the weight accordingly. Although ML.NET does not yet support neural networks, it hopes to do so in the future. Developers can currently use ML.NET to access TensorFlow.

Read More: Benefits of ASP.NET Core to Develop robust Web Applications


Common Machine Learning Problems

Common Machine Learning Problems

ML.NET can use the methods described here to address a variety of issues. Machine learning issues can come up again and again. Regression and classification are two of the most frequent problems.


Classification

The process of categorizing data into several groupings is known as classification. Binary classification and Multi-class classification are the two types. A data collection with two distinct groups can be classified in a binary fashion. Sentiment analysis, spam detection, and fraud detection are all examples of binary classification. Positive and negative sentiment analysis are the only two varieties.

An illustration of a negative attitude is the remark, "That was rude!" On the other hand, saying "Today's terrific!" carries a positive connotation. To address the issue of binary classification, ML.NET provides a variety of trainers. The Microsoft sentiment analysis sample uses the Fast Tree binary classifier trainer.

Data sets with more than two groups are referred to as multi-class classifications. Multi-class classification can be used to identify handwritten digits. The numbers zero through nine can be found in ten groupings in handwritten digits. Multi-class types can be solved in the same way as binary classification. Many techniques can be used. Microsoft's example uses the Stochastic Dual Coordinate Ascent multi-class classification trainer to recognize handwritten numbers.


Regression

Regression can be used to predict numerical values from a set of input data. Regression can indicate numerical values, such as price predictions or sales forecasting. The regression problem is best solved using linear regression. Predictions based on the line of best fit are now possible.

Regression can be complicated by recurrent neural networks or an RNN version called Long Term Short Term (LSTM). These two kinds can predict numerical values using sequence-to-sequence machine learning. The networks are given a memory-like effect by introducing a hidden state to accomplish sequence-to-sequence prediction. RNNs and LSTMs are not presently supported by ML.NET. Microsoft, however, has several strategies for addressing the regression issue. Sample of Microsoft's price forecasting Stochastic Dual Coordinate Ascent is a method that ML.NET employs to forecast product pricing.


Other Machine Learning Issues

Machine learning can be used in various ways and often improves the utility of existing applications. Recommendations, computer vision, and natural language processing are all typical issues with machine learning. Machine learning is utilized frequently. It appears in adverts, search results, and product suggestions.

Microsoft doesn't give a sample solution for natural language processing issues. Still, developers can make their own using the several algorithms provided by ML.NET. Microsoft offers numerous ML.NET recommendation examples that behave similarly to the Netflix or Amazon product suggestion systems.


ML.NET Vs. Other Machine Learning Frameworks

ML.NET Vs. Other Machine Learning Frameworks

There are several machine-learning frameworks besides ML.NET. There are numerous machine learning frameworks offered by various businesses. These machine learning frameworks might show slightly different capabilities than ML.NET and have other objectives. Machine learning is made simple for.NET developers by ML.NET.


ML.NET Vs. TensorFlow

Google created TensorFlow, one of the most popular open-source machine learning frameworks. TensorFlow supports both GPU and TPU acceleration and may be developed in C++. DNN GPU acceleration is not supported at this time by ML.NET. Nevertheless, support for this function will be included in successive editions. TensorFlow's deep learning program gives users a simple method for calculating gradients across complex graphs.

More languages besides Python can be utilized with TensorFlow. You can build deep learning models directly from your browser with TensorFlow, a robust TensorFlow implementation. TensorFlow is fantastic in some circumstances, but it could be more user-friendly for developers unfamiliar with Python or JavaScript. A variety of machine learning methods are available to.NET developers thanks to ML.NET. Deep Learning is simply one aspect of ML.NET. TensorFlow is used by ML.NET to implement some deep learning techniques, though.


ML.NET Vs. CNTK

Another well-liked open-source machine learning framework is Microsoft's Cognitive Toolkit (CNTK). Why does Microsoft have two frameworks for machine learning? Machine learning is now available to.NET developers thanks to ML.NET. However, CNTK is a deep learning-focused machine learning framework. To train CNTK models, a Python interface is used. Once trained, a model can be used in a variety of languages. A variety of machine learning methods are provided by ML.NET, all of which may be taught and tested in C#/.NET. Microsoft's current deep-learning framework may be utilized by ML.NET to facilitate deep Learning.


How would ML.NET Help Your Business?

How would ML.NET Help Your Business?

If you're a programming or application expert, you must know what ML.NET can present to your business. However, if you're in a managerial position, then here are some points that may help you understand the benefits that ML.NET possesses for your business:

  • Cross-Platform & Open source.
  • Improve Efficiency of applications.
  • Fast & Reliable.
  • Extensible and Proven.

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Conclusion

Now, I won't say that there is no other machine-learning platform available for developers. There are many best web development company that are now entering the field of applications that are integrated with Machine Learning. ML.NET is developer friendly edition to other software developing platforms. With ML.NET bridging the gap between the .NET developers and machine learning models, it's becoming a more understandable and viable option with all its features. Many experts think that this blending of frameworks would bring modifications to the applications that the .net development company builds. Moreover, be it a minor application by a small company or a more extensive one by a big enterprise, ML.NET will undoubtedly benefit every one of them. We hope you're now well-versed in what ML.NET is and what it has to offer. For any other queries, contact us at sales @ cisin.com.