savitzky golay filter,polynomial generation,pattern recognition

I have got an array of data which has to be smoothed.The data is from industry which consist of different states of operation. for smoothing i plan to use slavitzky golay smoothing filter.

1.how to select the order of the slavitzky golay filter??I need justification too that the order is apt for the data to be smoothed.

2.How to generate polynomial equation for the array and determine its coefficient??

3. I need to classify the data into the operating states by using intelligent pattern recognition.Can any1 help me with the code for this??

Thanx in advance for helping!!

[Walter Roberson]

There is a fair bit of overlap between this question and your still open previous question http://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/16329-smoothing-of-an-array-of-data

Perhaps the two questions should be merged.

[Image Analyst]

Regarding #2, you DO know that there's a built-in sgolayfilt() (in the Signal Processing Toolbox), don't you? So there's no need for you to do your #2 unless you plan on reinventing it yourself for some reason. Regarding #1, it's justified if it gets the job done and does what you need it to do.