Chains (sequential, router) in Prompt Engineering / GenAI - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is a sequential chain in AI workflows?

A sequential chain is a series of steps where the output of one step becomes the input of the next, like passing a message along a line.

beginner

How does a router chain decide which path to take?

A router chain looks at the input and chooses the best path or model to handle it, like a traffic controller directing cars to different roads.

intermediate

Why use chains in AI model design?

Chains help break complex tasks into smaller steps or routes, making AI easier to manage and more flexible, like following a recipe step-by-step.

intermediate

What is the main difference between sequential and router chains?

Sequential chains run steps one after another in order, while router chains pick one path from many based on the input.

beginner

Give a simple example of a sequential chain in AI.

An example is first cleaning text, then translating it, then summarizing it, where each step uses the previous step's output.

What does a sequential chain do in AI?

A Runs steps one after another using previous outputs

B Randomly selects a model to run

C Runs all models at the same time

D Ignores input and outputs fixed results

Sequential chains process steps in order, passing outputs forward.

How does a router chain choose a path?

A Runs all paths simultaneously

B Always chooses the first path

C Based on input characteristics

D Chooses randomly

Router chains analyze input to pick the best path.

Which chain type is best for step-by-step tasks?

A Router chain

B Sequential chain

C Random chain

D Parallel chain

Sequential chains are designed for ordered steps.

What is a key benefit of using chains in AI?

A Makes AI slower

B Always improves accuracy

C Removes the need for data

D Simplifies complex tasks by breaking them down

Chains help manage complexity by dividing tasks.

In a router chain, what happens if input doesn't match any path?

A The chain picks a default path

B The chain crashes

C The chain ignores the input

D The chain runs all paths

Router chains usually have a default path for unmatched inputs.

Explain how sequential and router chains differ and give an example of when to use each.

Think about a line of tasks versus a traffic controller.

Describe why chains are useful in AI workflows and how they improve task handling.

Consider how recipes or directions help in cooking or traveling.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of a sequential chain in GenAI?

easy

A. To run all AI steps at the same time

B. To randomly select one AI step to run

C. To run multiple AI steps one after another in order

D. To stop the AI process after the first step

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand sequential chain behavior

   A sequential chain connects AI steps so they run one after another, passing output from one to the next.

2. Step 2: Compare options to definition

   Only To run multiple AI steps one after another in order describes running steps in order, matching the sequential chain purpose.

3. Final Answer:

   To run multiple AI steps one after another in order -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Sequential chain = run steps in order [OK]

Hint: Sequential means steps run one after another [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking sequential means random step selection
• Confusing sequential with parallel execution
• Assuming sequential chains stop early

2. Which of the following is the correct way to define a router chain in GenAI?

easy

A. router = SequentialChain(steps=[step1, step2])

B. router = RouterChain(steps=[step1, step2], router_function=choose_step)

C. router = RouterChain(steps=step1, step2)

D. router = ChainRouter(steps=[step1, step2])

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall router chain syntax

   A router chain requires a list of steps and a router function to decide which step to run.

2. Step 2: Check each option's syntax

   router = RouterChain(steps=[step1, step2], router_function=choose_step) correctly uses RouterChain with steps list and router_function parameter. Others have wrong class names or syntax.

3. Final Answer:

   router = RouterChain(steps=[step1, step2], router_function=choose_step) -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   RouterChain needs steps list and router_function [OK]

Hint: RouterChain needs steps list and router_function param [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using SequentialChain instead of RouterChain
• Passing steps without brackets as list
• Using wrong class names like ChainRouter

3. Given the code below, what will be the output?

def router_func(input_text):
    if 'weather' in input_text.lower():
        return 'weather_step'
    else:
        return 'default_step'

steps = {
    'weather_step': lambda x: 'It is sunny',
    'default_step': lambda x: 'I do not understand'
}

router_chain = RouterChain(steps=steps, router_function=router_func)

result = router_chain.run('What is the weather today?')

medium

A. 'It is sunny'

B. 'I do not understand'

C. Error: router_function missing

D. 'What is the weather today?'

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze router function behavior

   The router_func checks if 'weather' is in the input text (case-insensitive). Input contains 'weather', so it returns 'weather_step'.

2. Step 2: Determine which step runs

   The router_chain uses 'weather_step' key to run the lambda returning 'It is sunny'.

3. Final Answer:

   'It is sunny' -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Input contains 'weather' -> weather_step -> 'It is sunny' [OK]

Hint: Router picks step by input keyword match [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring case in input text check
• Confusing step keys with output strings
• Assuming default_step runs always

4. Identify the error in this router chain code snippet:

steps = {
    'step1': lambda x: 'Hello',
    'step2': lambda x: 'Bye'
}

def router_func(input_text):
    if 'hello' in input_text:
        return 'step1'
    else:
        return 'step3'

router_chain = RouterChain(steps=steps, router_function=router_func)
result = router_chain.run('hello there')

medium

A. Lambda functions require two arguments

B. steps dictionary keys are not strings

C. router_function is missing in RouterChain

D. router_func returns a step key not in steps dictionary

Solution

1. Step 1: Check router_func return values

   router_func returns 'step1' if 'hello' in input, else 'step3'. Input contains 'hello', so returns 'step1'.

2. Step 2: Verify steps dictionary keys

   Steps dictionary has keys 'step1' and 'step2', but no 'step3'. Returning 'step3' would cause error if input changed.

3. Final Answer:

   router_func returns a step key not in steps dictionary -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Router returns unknown step key 'step3' [OK]

Hint: Router must return keys present in steps dict [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring missing step keys in router return
• Assuming lambda needs multiple args
• Forgetting to pass router_function parameter

5. You want to build a GenAI system that first summarizes a text, then translates it to French, but only if the text is longer than 100 words. Which chain setup is best?

hard

A. Use a sequential chain with a router function that skips translation if text is short

B. Use a router chain that chooses between summarization or translation only

C. Use two separate sequential chains running independently

D. Use a sequential chain that always runs summarization then translation

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand task requirements

   The system must summarize first, then translate only if text is longer than 100 words.

2. Step 2: Choose chain type matching conditional flow

   A sequential chain with a router function can run summarization step first, then decide to run translation step based on text length.

3. Step 3: Evaluate other options

   Router chain alone can't enforce sequential order; two separate chains won't coordinate; always running translation ignores condition.

4. Final Answer:

   Use a sequential chain with a router function that skips translation if text is short -> Option A

5. Quick Check:

   Sequential + router for conditional step flow [OK]

Hint: Combine sequential steps with router for conditional logic [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using router chain alone without sequence
• Running translation always ignoring condition
• Splitting steps into independent chains