Overview andGoals Pattern recognition has evolved as a mature field of data analysis and its practice involves decision making using a wide variety of machine learning tools. Over the last three decades, substantial advances have been made in the areas of classification, prediction, optimisation and planning algorithms. Inparticular, the advances made in the areas of non-linear classification, statistical pattern recognition, multi-objective optimisation, string matching and uncertainty management are notable. These advances have been triggered by the availability of cheap computing power...