.. _fitting contents:

================
Fitting Overview
================

This is technical documentation relating to fitting capabilities in Mantid. The fitting
process is separated into two choices; the function and the minimizer. The function is
how you think the data should be represented, the minimizer takes the combination of
data and function and finds the best fit.

*Fitting functions* describes the different functions available, with a list of the parameters
for setting up the function, as well as some examples of how to use different functions.

*Fitting minimizers* gives links to detailed descriptions of the various minimizers available in
Mantid. Choosing the right minimizer is an art as much as a science, a discussion of choosing
the right minimizer is provided :ref:`here <FittingMinimizers>`.

.. toctree::
   :maxdepth: 1

**Sections:**

.. image:: ../images/mantid.png
   :alt: A preying mantis with arms upraised
   :width: 200px
   :align: right

* :ref:`Fit Functions List`
* :ref:`fitminimizers`
* :ref:`fitCostFunctions`