Soft computing includes several intelligent computing paradigms, like fuzzy logic, neural networks, and bio-inspired optimization algorithms. This book describes the application of soft computing techniques to intelligent control, pattern recognition, and optimization problems. The book is organized in four main parts. The first part deals with nature-inspired optimization methods and their applications. Papers included in this part propose new models for achieving intelligent optimization in different application areas. The second part discusses hybrid intelligent systems for achieving control. Papers included in this part make use of nature-inspired techniques, like evolutionary algorithms, fuzzy logic and neural networks, for the optimal design of intelligent controllers for different kind of applications. Papers in the third part focus on intelligent techniques for pattern recognition and propose new methods to solve complex pattern recognition problems. The fourth part discusses new theoretical concepts and methods for the application of soft computing to many different areas, such as natural language processing, clustering and optimization.