A* algorithm
A member of the class of best-first heuristic search techniques that attempt to find a “best” path from a given start node to a designated goal node in a problem graph. An evaluation function is used ...
Aalen model
A linear regression model describing the manner in which the expected value of a response variable, Z(t), depends on explanatory variables X1(t),…, Xk(t) with time-dependent coefficients β0(t), ...
Abandonment
A term used to describe the user of the Internet who stops some process they are involved in and does not return to it. For example a user who has purchased some items, partially filled their ...
abelian group
Suppose that G is a group with the operation ○. Then G is abelian if the operation ○ is commutative; that is, if, for all elements a and b in G, a ○ b=b ○ a.
Abel's test
A test for the convergence of an infinite series which states that if ∑a n is a convergent sequence, and {b n} is monotically decreasing, i.e. b n+1≤b n for all n, then ∑a n b n is also convergent.
ABEND
Acronym for ABnormal END of task. Normally this occurs when a computer crashes or a communication link fails.
ablative
Designating an optical recording technique in which the heat generated by the recording beam melts or vaporizes a small area of the recording medium, leaving the underlying layer (with a different ...
abnormal termination
A termination to a process brought about by the operating system when the process reaches a point from which it cannot continue, e.g. when the process attempts to obey an undefined instruction. In ...