A data pipeline is a sequence of processes that collects, transforms, transports, and prepares data for downstream use.
In prompt engineering, a pipeline can link prompts so that one step’s output becomes the next step’s input. Prompt chaining splits a larger task into steps, each handling a specific part. section 7.4
A chained workflow can:
Extract relevant quotes from a document in one step, then use them to generate an answer in another. section 7.4
Make debugging and optimization easier by separating a task into smaller steps. section 7.4
Support enterprise applications, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) workflows, and tool-augmented assistants. section 7.4
How Introduction to Generative AI, Second Edition covers it
How deep it goes
Defines prompt chaining and explains its modular benefits with an example, without detailing implementation.
Examples
Illustrates chaining by extracting relevant document quotes before generating an answer.
What you can do after
Understand how to divide a task across prompts so one step’s output informs the next.
How it connects
Connects prompt chaining with prompt engineering, retrieval-augmented generation, and tool-augmented assistants.
AI Agents and ApplicationsA multi-step workflow is a process composed of several ordered or coordinated operations that collectively accomplish a task.
Machine Learning Platform EngineeringAn orchestrated pipeline is a coordinated sequence of automated data and machine learning workflow steps, including iteration and dependencies.
ASP.NET Core in Action, 3eA handler pipeline is an ordered chain of HTTP message handlers that can modify requests and inspect responses around a final transport handler.
AI Agents in Action, Second EditionIngestion is the phase of preparing source documents by loading, transforming, embedding, and storing them for later retrieval.
The Art of CodeA pipeline is a composable sequence of data-processing stages in which intermediate operations define transformations and a terminal operation executes them.
Platform Engineering on KubernetesA workflow is an organized sequence of activities and practices for accomplishing a software delivery or operational objective.
Learn Concurrent Programming with GoA pipeline is a sequence of processing stages connected so that the output of one stage becomes the input of the next.
Build an AI Agent (From Scratch)A workflow is a predefined sequence of computational steps that controls execution while delegating selected steps to language models or other components.
Build a Frontend Web Framework (From Scratch)An operation sequence is an ordered collection of array-editing operations that describes a transformation from one array state to another.
Deep Learning with R, Third EditionA workflow is an organized sequence of modeling or training operations that provides a particular balance of usability and flexibility.
Data Analysis with LLMsA data-processing pipeline is an ordered sequence of computational stages that transform or analyze data, with each stage passing results to the next.
Kafka Streams in Action, Second EditionPipelining is a processing pattern that overlaps record retrieval and record processing so the consumer can continue retrieving batches while earlier batches are handled.
Quarkus in ActionA reactive pipeline is a composition of asynchronous processing stages connected so that results, completion, and failures flow between them.
Learn Go with Pocket-Sized ProjectsA template pipeline is a sequence of template commands in which each command's output becomes input to the next command.
Grokking ConcurrencyPipeline processing is a technique that divides computation into stages so different stages can operate concurrently on different portions of the work.
Graph Neural Networks in ActionA data pipeline is a sequence of processes that moves data from an input state through transformation and preparation stages to an output suitable for storage or computation.
PowerShellused by · PowerShell is Microsoft's cross-platform command shell and scripting language for administering computer systems and automating tasks.
SMOTEuses · SMOTE is an oversampling technique that generates synthetic examples for a minority class by interpolating between existing minority-class examples and their nearest neighbors.
fluent interfaceused by · A fluent interface is an API design style in which operations return objects or values that enable readable chaining of subsequent calls.
data layerpart of · A data layer is an architectural part of a system that organizes access to, management of, or persistence of data for other components.
remove operationhas part · A remove operation represents deleting an item from the working array because it is absent from the target array at the relevant position.
This explainer was generated by Manning's knowledge graph from the text of Introduction to Generative AI, Second Edition. The section links point to the parts of the book it draws on.
