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Missing value

As explained in Deep Learning with R, Third Edition

A missing value is an absent or unavailable data entry for an expected attribute of an instance.

A missing value is an absent or unavailable entry for an attribute that an instance is expected to contain. Before training, inspect the data for missing entries and address them during preprocessing so the inputs become suitable for a neural network. section 6.1.3 section 6.2.1

Use missing-value checks as part of a broader data-preparation workflow:

  • Explore the dataset before training; numerical features can be examined with histograms, while other data types should be inspected through representative samples. section 6.1.3
  • Treat missing-value handling as one step alongside vectorization and value normalization, rather than feeding raw data directly to the model. section 6.2.1
  • Include missing-value treatment in dataset curation, together with checking data quality, labels, and feature usefulness. section 5.4.1

A numerical dataset

Suppose a numerical dataset contains feature entries that are absent for some instances. Plotting feature distributions can reveal the issue; those entries must then be dealt with during data preparation before model training. section 6.1.3 section 6.2.1

How Deep Learning with R, Third Edition covers it

How deep it goes
Defines the issue and places it in preprocessing, while deferring domain-specific handling techniques.
Examples
Uses numerical-feature inspection, histograms, representative samples, and pretraining data preparation as teaching examples.
What it assumes
Assumes a dataset and basic awareness of model inputs, while introducing missing-value checks within data preparation.
What you can do after
Diagnose missing entries through data exploration and include their treatment in preprocessing before training.
How it connects
Connects missing values with data exploration, data preprocessing, vectorization, normalization, and dataset curation.

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This explainer was generated by Manning's knowledge graph from the text of Deep Learning with R, Third Edition. The section links point to the parts of the book it draws on.