How normalize discrete data input

Hi! How can I read readme.md, I need normalize input data to range 0…1. That’s ok with linear data, same as color, price, year, etc.

But look at my example: Form in my web page have one field with radio button, like:

• credit;
• debet;
• personal card;
• other.

How I need provide this data for train nn? Ok, I can send something like:

• type__credit: 0;
• type__debet: 0;
• type__personal_card: 1;
• type__other: 0.

But this make more input columns, even for many fields/values, as i showed. Then I thought, what will be if I will make this:

• for «credit»: type=0.25;
• for «debet»: type=0.5;
• for «personal card»: type=0.75;
• for «other»: type=1.

That’s save me from many columns, but will be work?

And what I can do for checkboxes? Maybe:

var typeForInputBrain = 0;

typeForInputBrain += (typeFromForm.indexOf('credit')) ? 0.04 : 0;
typeForInputBrain += (typeFromForm.indexOf('debet')) ? 0.08 : 0;
typeForInputBrain += (typeFromForm.indexOf('personal card')) ? 0.16 : 0;
typeForInputBrain += (typeFromForm.indexOf('other')) ? 0.32 : 0;

Then even if all values was checked input value save in range between 0 to 1. Ok? Is it working method, or, that’s way require something new activation function?

P.S. Sorry for my english 😃

[robertleeplummerjr]

Forgot to mention: I’m working to try and make it so you could use numbers, or really whatever type of data on either side of the input or output.

[mubaidr]

If you still need help, feel free to re-open this issue.