How does loss function affect model during training?

Yes that’s another one that is readily understood. The loss object is tied to x through the out = lin(x) line.

My example…

criterion = nn.CrossEntropyLoss()

loss = criterion(outputs, labels)

had the loss set to some generic instance of nn.CrossEntropyLoss without
any relation to the model or my equivalent of x to use your nomenclature.

Thanks!

Chris