The classical define is that it is the study of algorithms

[williamMachine 0]

The classical define is that it is the study of algorithms that infer the function they compute from the data . An examples of this is the " theory of the Learning " journal which is surely the seminal good learning document . In this circle it is meaning to be machine scientists ' s answers to questions. This definition is maybe Too narrow here , as the notion of inferencing a product from example making the most sense with classification or regression methods and make less use with index or other Problems . Historically , Machine learning was something of a reaction within artificial mind , . AI ran heavily on reasoning though than calculus or measures , and prefers he {} and search to formal programming . It was thus a pretty open ended researcher program in which it is fairly hard to judge progress . The popularity of Machine learning in a degree was likely due to the want of progress and increasing s {} {} people had of AI researcher in the mid 80s . Computer learning is , in comparison , an equally well defined area concentrating on concrete algorithm {} and mathematical issues . Focus focusing on better defined problems with concrete measurements of progress likely aided researchers insulate themselves from the discouragement with AI broadly and shortage of funds.