Neural networks for people who just want to fit() and predict()

What it does

scikit-neuralnetwork wraps Lasagne and Theano in a sklearn-compatible interface. You instantiate a Classifier or Regressor, stack Layer objects, call fit(), then predict() — no manual tensor wiring required. It handles MLPs, auto-encoders, and (according to the README) RNNs “soon.”

The interesting bit

The project explicitly bills itself as “Future Proof™” — a bold claim for 2015-era deep learning, when Theano still roamed the earth and “plans for blocks” sounded forward-looking. The real value isn’t novelty; it’s insulation. You get convolution, dropout, batch normalization, and seven optimizers without touching Theano’s debug-the-graph workflow.

Key highlights

• Full sklearn API parity: fit, predict, score, plus numpy, scipy.sparse, and pandas input support.
• Seven learning rules and four regularization schemes exposed as constructor arguments, not config files.
• 100% test coverage claimed, with CI via Travis and docs on ReadTheDocs.
• Optional bleeding-edge features (convolution, pooling) if you install Lasagne/Theano from master.

Caveats

• The “soon” for RNNs has been “soon” since at least the README’s writing; check current status before counting on it.
• Built on Theano and Lasagne — both now in maintenance mode or deprecated — so “Future Proof™” may need air quotes in 2024.
• Advanced features require manual dependency management outside PyPI’s stable releases.

Verdict

Good for scikit-learn veterans who need a neural net drop-in without framework commitment. Skip if you want PyTorch dynamism or already speak Keras fluently — this is a comfort blanket, not a power tool.