kernelbykernel

Kernelbykernel is a conceptual framework for building kernel-based models by composing kernels one at a time. The term appears in theoretical discussions to emphasize hierarchical and modular construction of representations through sequential kernel applications. In kernelbykernel, data are mapped into a feature space by a base kernel, and subsequent kernels are applied to the resulting features, enabling multi-level representations that resemble deep-learning architectures while remaining rooted in kernel functions.

Key features include a modular kernel library, a composition engine that supports sequential and parallel kernel chaining, automated search for effective kernel stacks, and an evaluation suite for cross-validation, generalization error, and computational cost. The framework supports common kernels such as linear, polynomial, and Gaussian, and allows domain experts to define custom kernels.

Origins and usage: kernelbykernel emerges from efforts to unify kernel methods with hierarchical representation learning. It is used in research to study the benefits and trade-offs of kernel stacking, interpretability, and scalability. Typical workflows involve selecting a base kernel, specifying a sequence length, and running experiments across datasets; results are analyzed in terms of performance gains and resource requirements.

Impact and reception: in simulations and preliminary applications, kernelbykernel has shown potential for improving performance on multi-scale or noisy data, while raising considerations about normalization, regularization, and computational demands. The concept remains primarily a research-oriented approach with prototype tools and notebooks circulating in academic communities.