Generate Absolutes (RapidMiner Studio Core)

Synopsis

This operator replaces all values of the selected numerical attributes by their corresponding absolute values.

Description

The Generate Absolutes operator replaces all values of the selected numerical attributes by their absolute values. The absolute value of a real number is the numerical value of that number without regard to its sign. For example, the absolute value of 7 is 7, and the absolute value of –7 is also 7. The absolute value of a number may be thought of as its distance from zero.

Input

example set input (Data Table)
This input port expects an ExampleSet. It is output of the Retrieve operator in the attached Example Process.

Output

example set output (Data Table)
The values of the selected numerical attributes are replaced by their corresponding absolute values and the resultant ExampleSet is returned through this port.
original (Data Table)
The ExampleSet that was given as input is passed without changing to the output through this port. This is usually used to reuse the same ExampleSet in further operators or to view the ExampleSet in the Results Workspace.

Parameters

attribute_filter_typeThis parameter allows you to select the attribute selection filter; the method you want to use for selecting the required attributes. It has the following options:
- all: This option simply selects all the attributes of the ExampleSet. This is the default option.
- single: This option allows selection of a single attribute. When this option is selected another parameter (attribute) becomes visible in the Parameters panel. (Since RapidMiner 6.0.4 the Operator will fail if a selected Attribute is not in the ExampleSet)
- subset: This option allows selection of multiple attributes through a list. All attributes of the ExampleSet are present in the list; required attributes can be easily selected. This option will not work if the meta data is not known. When this option is selected another parameter becomes visible in the Parameters panel. (Since RapidMiner 6.0.4 the Operator will fail if a selected Attribute is not in the ExampleSet)
- regular_expression: This option allows you to specify a regular expression for attribute selection. When this option is selected some other parameters (regular expression, use except expression) become visible in the Parameters panel.
- value_type: This option allows selection of all the attributes of a particular type. It should be noted that types are hierarchical. For example real and integer types both belong to the numeric type. Users should have a basic understanding of type hierarchy when selecting attributes through this option. When it is selected some other parameters (value type, use value type exception) become visible in the Parameters panel.
- block_type: This option is similar in working to the value type option. This option allows selection of all the attributes of a particular block type. When this option is selected some other parameters (block type, use block type exception) become visible in the Parameters panel.
- no_missing_values: This option simply selects all the attributes of the ExampleSet which don't contain a missing value in any example. Attributes that have even a single missing value are removed.
- numeric value filter: When this option is selected another parameter (numeric condition) becomes visible in the Parameters panel. All numeric attributes whose examples all satisfy the mentioned numeric condition are selected. Please note that all nominal attributes are also selected irrespective of the given numerical condition.
Range: selection
attributeThe desired attribute can be selected from this option. The attribute name can be selected from the drop down box of attribute parameter if the meta data is known. Range: string
attributesThe required attributes can be selected from this option. This opens a new window with two lists. All attributes are present in the left list and can be shifted to the right list which is the list of selected attributes on which the conversion from nominal to numeric will take place; all other attributes will remain unchanged. Range: string
regular_expressionThe attributes whose name matches this expression will be selected. Regular expression is a very powerful tool but needs a detailed explanation to beginners. It is always good to specify the regular expression through the edit and preview regular expression menu. This menu gives a good idea of regular expressions. This menu also allows you to try different expressions and preview the results simultaneously. This will enhance your concept of regular expressions. Range: string
use_except_expressionIf enabled, an exception to the selected type can be specified. When this option is selected another parameter (except value type) becomes visible in the Parameters panel. Range: boolean
except_regular_expressionThis option allows you to specify a regular expression. Attributes matching this expression will be filtered out even if they match the first expression (expression that was specified in the regular expression parameter). Range: string
value_typeThe type of attributes to be selected can be chosen from a drop down list. One of the following types can be chosen: nominal, text, binominal, polynominal, file_path. Range: selection
use_value_type_exception If enabled, an exception to the selected type can be specified. When this option is selected another parameter (except value type) becomes visible in the Parameters panel. Range: boolean
except_value_typeThe attributes matching this type will be removed from the final output even if they matched the previously mentioned type i.e. value type parameter's value. One of the following types can be selected here: nominal, text, binominal, polynominal, file_path. Range: selection
block_typeThe block type of attributes to be selected can be chosen from a drop down list. The only possible value here is 'single_value' Range: selection
use_block_type_exception If enabled, an exception to the selected block type can be specified. When this option is selected another parameter (except block type) becomes visible in the Parameters panel. Range: boolean
except_block_typeThe attributes matching this block type will be removed from the final output even if they matched the previously mentioned block type. Range: selection
numeric_conditionThe numeric condition for testing examples of numeric attributes is specified here. For example the numeric condition '> 6' will keep all nominal attributes and all numeric attributes having a value of greater than 6 in every example. A combination of conditions is possible: '> 6 && < 11' or '<= 5 || < 0'. But && and || cannot be used together in one numeric condition. Conditions like '(> 0 && < 2) || (>10 && < 12)' are not allowed because they use both && and ||. Use a blank space after '>', '=' and '<' e.g. '<5' will not work, so use '< 5' instead. Range: string
invert_selectionIf this parameter is set to true, it acts as a NOT gate, it reverses the selection. In that case all the selected attributes are unselected and previously unselected attributes are selected. For example if attribute 'att1' is selected and attribute 'att2' is unselected prior to checking of this parameter. After checking of this parameter 'att1' will be unselected and 'att2' will be selected. Range: boolean
include_special_attributesThe special attributes are attributes with special roles which identify the examples. In contrast regular attributes simply describe the examples. Special attributes are: id, label, prediction, cluster, weight and batch. Range: boolean

Tutorial Processes

Absolute values of the Ripley-Set data set

The 'Ripley-Set' data set is loaded using the Retrieve operator. A breakpoint is inserted here so that you can have a look at the ExampleSet. You can see that the ExampleSet has two real attributes i.e. att1 and att2. Note that both these attributes have both positive and negative values. The Generate Absolutes operator is applied on this ExampleSet to replace these values by their corresponding absolute values. The resultant ExampleSet can be seen in the Results Workspace.