mgl

github.com/melisgl/mgl ML Training & Optimization Open-source projectOpen source

mgl provides a machine learning library in Common Lisp, including neural networks and Gaussian processes.

github.com/melisgl/mgl
mgl homepage screenshot

About mgl

mgl is an open source machine learning library written in Common Lisp by Gábor Melis, with some parts originally contributed by Ravenpack International. It focuses mainly on neural networks, including Boltzmann machines and feed-forward and recurrent backpropagation networks. It also includes tools for datasets, resampling, feature selection and encoding, gradient-based optimization, Gaussian processes, and a bag-of-words approach to natural language processing.

Most of the library is built on MGL-MAT, which provides BLAS and CUDA support. According to the source, the stated focus is power and performance rather than ease of use. Setup requires installing two main dependencies, CL-CUDA and MGL-MAT, manually because they are not yet in Quicklisp. If no suitable GPU or CUDA SDK is present, the library falls back to BLAS and Lisp code.

Key features

  • Feed-forward and recurrent backpropagation neural networks
  • Boltzmann machines
  • Gaussian processes
  • Cross-validation, bagging, shuffling and partitioning for resampling
  • Gradient descent and conjugate gradient optimizers
  • Feature selection and feature encoding
Best for: Common Lisp developers and researchers who want neural network and related statistical models and are willing to trade ease of use for power and performance.
Good for
  • Released under the MIT licence
  • GPU use through CUDA when a suitable GPU and CUDA SDK are present, with BLAS and Lisp fallback
  • Covers several model families, including neural networks, Boltzmann machines and Gaussian processes
Watch out for
  • The stated focus is power and performance, not ease of use
  • CL-CUDA and MGL-MAT are not yet in Quicklisp and must be installed manually
  • Running code on the GPU requires wrapping it in MGL-MAT:WITH-CUDA*

mgl at a glance

Type
Open-source project
Pricing
Not confirmed. Check the site
Open source
Yes · Source code
Language
English
Last checked
Oct 6, 2026 · Online when checked
Listed
Oct 5, 2026

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mgl FAQ

Does mgl use the GPU?
It supports CUDA through MGL-MAT. Code is run on the GPU by wrapping it in MGL-MAT:WITH-CUDA*, and MGL-MAT:CUDA-AVAILABLE-P can confirm whether the GPU is being used. If there is no suitable GPU or the CUDA SDK is not installed, mgl falls back to BLAS and Lisp code.
What license does mgl use?
mgl is licensed under the MIT licence, as stated in the COPYING file in the repository.
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