URANO: An object-oriented artificial neural network simulation tool

Abstract

A highly flexible environment has been developed based on the object-oriented paradigm for modelling artificial neural networks (ANNs). This paper propose a hierarchy of classes that models ANN. The design of the hierarchy is characterized by a high degree of modularity, based on parametrizable data structures and autonomous modules. Composition rules of structures and methods enable to build, step by step, more complex structures from simple ones previously defined. One of the most relevant benefits obtained from using an object-oriented approach is related with the definition of multi-networks. URANO (Universe of ANN Object oriented) is a powerful software tool developed using the C++ programming language for building and using prototypes of ANNs in which inherited mechanism can be used for building new ANNs from already existing ones. It is easy to work with and its effectiveness and efficiency have been proven by applications.