Granular Computing: An Introduction

Granular computing is an emerging conceptual and computing paradigm of information processing. It has been motivated by the urgent need for intelligent processing of empirical data that is now commonly available in vast quantities, into a humanly manageable abstract knowledge. In this sense, granular computing offers a landmark change from the current machine-centric to human-centric approach to information and knowledge. The theoretical foundations of granular computing are exceptionally sound and involve set theory (interval mathematics), fuzzy sets, rough sets, and random sets linked together in a highly comprehensive treatment of this emerging paradigm. This text covers the full spectrum of granular computing from the basic methodology through algorithms and granular worlds, to a representative spectrum of applications.