Understanding AppBuilder-SDK
AppBuilder-SDK is a client-based development platform designed by Baidu Intelligence Cloud's Qianfan for AI-native application developers. It offers a comprehensive and user-friendly interface to developers, facilitating the process of building, deploying, and managing AI applications from a single platform. Through AppBuilder-SDK, users are empowered to engage with Baidu’s robust AI capabilities seamlessly.
Key Features of AppBuilder-SDK
AppBuilder-SDK is packed with multiple functionalities essential for AI application developers:
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Invocation Abilities:
- Large model invocation: Developers can access models available on Baidu's Large Model Platform, enabling them to develop and fine-tune prompts for their specific needs.
- Component invocation: Over 40 premium components from Baidu's ecosystem are at developers’ disposal, enhancing the capability of AI applications significantly.
- AI native application invocation: Through the AppBuilderClient, users can access and manage AI-native applications published on the Baidu Intelligent Cloud’s AppBuilder web interface. Local functions can be registered to work together with cloud components.
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Orchestration:
- Knowledge base configuration: Management of knowledge bases is supported, allowing developers to perform document and knowledge slicing operations. These actions aid in creating industry-grade RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) applications.
- Workflow orchestration: The SDK includes abstractions like Message, Component, and AgentRuntime for workflow creation, and is compatible with industry-standard solutions like LangChain and OpenAI.
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Monitoring:
- Equipped with visualization and debugging tools, the SDK supports developers in monitoring real-time applications and debugging efficiently.
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Deployment:
- AgentRuntime can be deployed as an API service using Flask and gunicorn.
- It can also be fitted with a front-end for dialogue interactions via Chainlit, and quickly deployed as a public API service through the appbuilder_bce_deploy tool.
Building Industry-Level RAG Applications
AppBuilder-SDK offers a comprehensive suite of tools necessary for building advanced RAG applications covering all essential stages:
- Document parsing (Parser)
- Document chunking (Chunker)
- Embedding vectors for chunked documents
- Building and retrieving indexes
- Answer generation
By leveraging both foundational and advanced components provided by Baidu's infrastructure, developers can create an end-to-end RAG application tailored to specific needs. This process is fully detailed in the RAG Atomic Abilities CookBook.
Installation and Quick Start
The latest version of AppBuilder-SDK is 0.9.6 as of October 2024. It requires Python 3.9 or later.
To install:
python3 -m pip install --upgrade appbuilder-sdk
To begin your AI application journey with AppBuilder-SDK, sample codes and detailed instructions are provided. These include examples of invoking large models, utilizing Baidu's array of components, and even managing AI-native applications like the Rap Coach available for web trials.
Code Examples
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Invoking Large Models:
Developers can define "prompt" templates and call various models through the Playground component, customizing parameters for specific tasks.
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Ability Component Invocation:
AppBuilder-SDK provides access to over 40 high-quality components for enhanced application development. For example, the RAG approach combined with Baidu Search creates a powerful tool for generating more precise search-related results.
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AI Native Applications:
The AppBuilderClient simplifies managing applications and enables users to create and control dialogue interactions.
Exploring More
For more AI-native application examples, visit the AppBuilder Platform's application center. The SDK's Cookbooks section also includes comprehensive guides, showcasing foundational to advanced implementations and detailed orchestration walkthroughs.
AppBuilder-SDK is pivotal in creating industry-level applications with its user-centric design, extensive library, and developer-friendly tools, making it an invaluable tool for AI application developers.