1. A system for building an artificial neural network of artificial neurons on a computer interactively with a user using input data representing patterns of different classes of signals comprising: means for analyzing said input data to generate one or more data points in at least two dimensions representative of said signals in each of said different classes; means for visualizing the distribution of said data points on a map in at least two dimensions using an output device coupled to said computer; means for clustering said data points on said map provided by said visualizing means into clusters in accordance with the classes associated with said data points; means for partitioning said map provided by said visualizing means into regions by defining boundaries between said clusters interactively with the user; and means for configuring said artificial neural network in accordance with said data points, said cluster, said boundaries, and said regions, in which each of said boundaries defines a different one of the artificial neurons of said artificial neural network.