CMP.6:4.1 - State the candidate, criterion and wanted conclusion

Describe the current candidate x, its admissible set and the result wanted. A criterion J(x) can measure an objective, a residual or a potential used to establish progress. State which it is. A potential that decreases helps analyze the algorithm; its relation to the recipient’s requested answer still needs to be established.

Separate possible conclusions: one improved candidate, no improving change in a specified neighborhood, a point meeting a residual tolerance, a global optimum, or a sequence converging under stated conditions. Select the useful conclusion now rather than automatically pursuing the strongest one.

When the iteration serves a model or learner, retain its target through C.29.2 and the relevant modeling or learning method. Optimization error, error in the subject model and performance on later cases are different questions.