Definition · operations
observation space
observation space is the set of signals an agent may get from its setting. You can spot observation space in practice when the record shows what the system observes, what choice it makes, and what changes next, without asking the reader to guess or trust a slogan.
157 definitions656 sourced recordsNamed source: ACL Anthology
Why does observation space matter?
The observation space sets what the agent can know. Missing signals can make a good policy behave badly. For observation space, start with three checks: What signal proves the run worked? Can the run be replayed from its record? Which failure sends work back for repair? The answers should point to visible evidence, not a promise.
What does observation space look like?
A warehouse agent can see shelf counts and scanner errors but cannot see supplier inventory. This example makes observation space visible by naming the actor, the action, and the result in practice. It is an illustration for readers, not a claim that every product behaves this way.
What is observation space easy to confuse with?
Observation space lists possible signals. Action space lists possible actions. The closest entries here are observation, agent evaluation, action space. Compare their definitions with observation space before using the names as if they mean the same thing. That comparison keeps observation space separate from nearby ideas without pretending the boundary is always perfect.
How certain is this definition?
This definition is provisional. ACL Anthology supports the version you see today, but a better or more direct source may change it. Open the cited page and check its date before you use this entry to choose a product, write a policy, set a safety control, or design a system.
Who introduced the term observation space?
We have not verified who first introduced observation space. The source supports a useful definition, but it may not be the earliest use. Until a dated primary record settles the question, we leave the origin open. A popular article or product page is not enough to name the person who coined a term.
What should you understand before observation space?
Read evaluation first when observation space depends on a more basic idea or mechanism. The link gives you a useful route through the glossary. It does not mean every author teaches the subject in this order, so follow the source when the sequence matters.
What should this term help you answer?
Use observation space to ask what an agent can observe, decide, change, remember, or hand off. The questions below turn the definition into a practical check. They are prompts for your own work, not claims made by the source, so change them to fit the system you are examining.
- What signal proves the run worked?
- Can the run be replayed from its record?
- Which failure sends work back for repair?
Which source supports this definition of observation space?
ACL Anthology supports this working definition of observation space. We checked the link on 2026-07-12. Open the original record for its context, methods, limits, and publication details. The short explanation here is a guide to observation space; the linked source remains the evidence to inspect when the wording or boundary matters.
source foundobservation spaceChecked 2026-07-12→