What is classification in machine learning?

Updated May 15, 2026

Short answer

Classification is a supervised learning task where the model predicts discrete labels for input data.

Deep explanation

Classification involves learning a mapping from input features to predefined categories. The model is trained on labeled data and learns decision boundaries to separate classes. Common algorithms include logistic regression, decision trees, and neural networks.

Real-world example

Email spam detection where messages are classified as 'spam' or 'not spam'.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing classification with regression, which predicts continuous values.

Follow-up questions

  • What are the types of classification problems?

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