Prompt engineering questions in the interface require designing instructions for a language model to process input data and produce the desired output. The goal is to provide precise and actionable prompts that meet the task requirements.
Here’s a general guide to solving such questions effectively:
Step 1: Understand the Problem
- Read the Task Description: Carefully examine the instructions provided in the problem. Identify the key requirements and the type of output expected.
- Example Task: Extract error logs from a system log file and summarize them with timestamps and error messages.
- Identify the Output Format: Ensure that you understand the exact format required for the output.
- Example Format: Timestamp: [YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS], Error: [Error Message].
Step 2: Review Sample Cases
Examine Input-Output Examples: Review the provided sample cases to understand how the input data should be transformed into the required output.
Example Input:
[2024-12-23 10:15:32] INFO: System boot complete
[2024-12-23 10:16:05] ERROR: Failed to initialize database connection
[2024-12-23 10:17:45] WARN: Disk usage exceeded 80% on /dev/sda1
[2024-12-23 10:20:00] ERROR: Timeout while connecting to service X
Example Output:
Timestamp: 2024-12-23 10:16:05, Error: Failed to initialize database connection
Timestamp: 2024-12-23 10:20:00, Error: Timeout while connecting to service X
Step 3: Formulate Your Prompt
Define Clear Instructions: Write a prompt that explicitly states what the model should do. Be clear and specific to avoid ambiguity.
Example Prompt:
"Analyze the provided system logs and extract all lines containing the log level ERROR. Summarize each error in the format:
Timestamp: [YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS], Error: [Error Message].
Do not include non-error logs or additional text in the output."
Info- Do not remove the placeholder text {testcase input}
Step 4: Run and Test
- Run the Prompt: Use the "Run Prompt" button to test your solution against the provided test cases.
- Check Test Results: Review the output to ensure your solution meets the task requirements. Look for failed test cases to identify where your prompt might need refinement.
Step 5: Debug and Refine
If your prompt fails certain test cases:
- Analyze Failures: Compare the actual output with the expected output to identify errors.
- Refine for Edge Cases: Ensure your prompt handles:
- Example:
- Logs with missing or malformed timestamps.
- Unstructured or multi-line error messages.
- Example:
- Revised Prompt Example:
- Extract all lines containing the log level ERROR from the provided system logs.
- Summarize them in the format: Timestamp: [YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS], Error: [Error Message]. Ignore all non-error logs.
Tip: Test and refine your prompt iteratively until all test cases pass.
Ensure the prompt is robust enough to handle variations in input while consistently producing the desired output.
Tips for Effective Prompt Engineering
- Be Specific: Clearly define the task and the expected output format.
- Break Down Complex Tasks: If the task has multiple components, address each step sequentially in your prompt.
- Handle Edge cases: Account for potential edge cases or non-standard input formats.
FAQs
Why Is My Test Case Still Failing?
If your test case is still failing, go through the following checklist to troubleshoot:
- Check the Output Format: Ensure your output strictly adheres to the format specified in the task, including spacing, punctuation, capitalization, and element order.
- Handle Edge Cases: Verify that your solution accounts for unusual input scenarios like missing fields, unexpected formats, or malformed data. Ensure your prompt gracefully handles or skips these cases.
- Revisit the Instructions and Test Case Input: Re-read the problem description to ensure you haven’t misunderstood any requirements. Examine the failing test case input for special conditions (e.g., nested structures or unusual formats) that your solution might not address.