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LLM application

An LLM application is software whose functionality incorporates a large language model to perform tasks, process inputs, or produce outputs.

How 2 Manning books explain it

Machine Learning Platform Engineering

An LLM application is a software system whose functionality uses a large language model to process inputs and produce outputs.

How it is used
Extends MLOps infrastructure with retrieval, prompt, evaluation, observability, cost, and safety capabilities for production generative workloads.
How deep it goes
Explains architecture, metadata, RAG flow, testing, monitoring, and governance, stopping short of implementation code in the supplied evidence.
Examples
Uses DakkaBot, company documentation, document ingestion, vector embeddings, semantic retrieval, prompt augmentation, and generated answers.
What you can do after
Build it from scratch as an observable RAG service with managed prompts, semantic tests, cost tracking, and multilayered safety controls.

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AI Agents and Applications

An LLM application is software that provides a use-case-specific interface or workflow around a large language model.

How it is used
Defines bounded, use-case-specific workflows that turn requests and supporting context into LLM outputs for users or other systems.
How deep it goes
Explains application structure through summarization and two-phase Q&A workflows, then identifies prompts and chains as implementation components.
Examples
Uses REST-accessible summarization, document-based Q&A, web research summarization, and semantic SQL search as concrete applications.
What you can do after
Build it from scratch as a bounded research summarization workflow, then integrate its search and summarization steps with LCEL chains.

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Related concepts

These guides are generated from the text of Manning books by Manning's knowledge graph and link to the sections they draw on. The full books are available on liveBook and at manning.com.