1. A system for generating codebook objects for an artificial neural network from input data comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; computer code loaded into the memory for executing on the processor, for implementing the following functionality: (a) providing data objects to be processed as input data and providing data objects of exploration space; (b) generating a topology-preserving mapping, by: (i) ordering neurons in ordering space, according to a given pattern; (ii) assigning codebook objects in outcome space to the neurons; (iii) processing codebook objects according to the calculation rule of a topology-preserving mapping, by use of data objects of the exploration space; and (iv) outputting the processed codebook objects as output data; (c) determining the order of neurons in the ordering space by using at least a part of the provided data objects, and (d) providing data objects of the exploration space which are independent of the input data.