Backforward

Backforward is a term used in various fields to describe processes that incorporate both backward and forward directions or passes of computation. It is not a single, formal concept with a universal definition, and its precise meaning depends on the context.

In computing and artificial intelligence, backforward often signals bidirectional processing. For example, many neural network workflows include a forward pass that computes outputs and a backward pass that propagates error signals for learning (backpropagation). In search and optimization, bidirectional or back-and-forth approaches explore possibilities from multiple directions to improve efficiency or convergence.

In statistics and signal processing, the forward-backward algorithm is a well-established method used to infer hidden states in hidden Markov models by combining forward probabilities with backward probabilities. While some writers may colloquially refer to this as backforward, the standard term remains forward-backward.

In linguistics and cognitive science, the phrase is rarer; related ideas include bidirectional models, iterative refinement, and back-and-forth discourse in dialogue systems and production planning. Other usages include software project names or proprietary pipelines that explicitly label a dual-direction processing stage as backforward. Because of its nonstandard status, readers should consult the specific source for the exact meaning in that context.

See also: backward, forward, forward-backward algorithm, bidirectional, bidirectional search, backpropagation.