Description: Feature selection is a fundamental process in data mining that focuses on identifying and selecting the most relevant variables that contribute to the predictive power of a model. This process is crucial for improving the accuracy and efficiency of machine learning algorithms, as it allows for the reduction of data dimensionality by eliminating redundant or irrelevant features. By focusing on the most significant characteristics, the model’s performance is optimized, facilitating its interpretation and reducing training time. Feature selection can be performed using various techniques, such as filtering, wrapper, and embedded methods, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. In summary, this process not only enhances the quality of predictive models but also helps to avoid overfitting, which is essential for ensuring that models generalize well to new data.