not specified then the best alternative model as determined from the training data should be applied interface functions 335 also need to be implemented to access degree of fit scores that are calculated by model objects when they are trained or evaluated it is beneficial to implement three types of degree of fit score interface functions 335 based on the three types of scoring information utilized by the various embodiments of the process shown in fig4 a first degree of fit score interface function 335 is needed to obtain tables of scores for alternative models that are constructed by model objects when trained in mode 7 an illustrative example of such a table is shown in table 3 however the table as illustrated should be expanded to included two sets of valfit valpts and valvar values one calculated on the basis of training data the other on the basis of separate hold out validation data this first degree of fit score interface function 335 would be used for pruning purposes at block 172 of fig1 blocks 184 and 185 of fig1 and blocks 223 and 224 of fig2 as will be discussed in detail below the determination of which of the two sets of valfit valpts and valvar values would be utilized at these process blocks would be based on the process options that have been selected as.