1. A method for automated selection of a parameterized operator sequence to achieve a pattern classification task, comprising the steps of: inputting a collection of labeled data patterns; deriving statistical descriptions of the inputted labeled data patterns; determining the criterion function which will be used to derive the classifier performance; determining classifier performance for each of a plurality of candidate operator sequences and corresponding parameter values, using the derived statistical descriptions; identifying an optimal classifier performance among the determined classifier performances according to specified criteria; and selecting the operator sequence and corresponding parameter values, associated with the identified optimal classifier performance.