AI Updates Series - 1

TL;DR: Big changes are coming to Betalgo.OpenAI—we're evolving into Betalgo.Ranul.OpenAI! Expect some refactoring and new features in future versions (sorry in advance for any naming changes). Also, I attended the OpenAI London DevDay and grabbed more stickers and pins than I'd like to admit.

A New Chapter for Betalgo.OpenAI

Hey there, fellow developers! 👋

I've got some exciting news (and a bit of housekeeping) to share with you all. If you've been using Betalgo.OpenAI, you'll want to stick around for this.

The Name Change: Embracing Ranul

First things first: I'm updating the PackageId and Namespace of Betalgo.OpenAI. Why, you ask? Well, the new official OpenAI library decided to use the same namespace, and we can't have that kind of identity crisis, can we?

So, moving forward, the package will be named Betalgo.Ranul.OpenAI, aligning with my broader project, Ranul-Tinga. This toolset aims to support different AI services under one roof, including the SDKs I've built for Anthropic and potentially others.

What's Not Changing

  • Still Open and Free: The library will remain open-source and free. Your support has always been invaluable.

What's Changing

  • Shared Models and Mappers in Future Versions: While not in this version, future updates will introduce shared models and mappers. This will help developers shift between AI models with less friction. Stay tuned!

  • Expect Refactoring: There will be significant refactoring in the library. While I'll try to minimize the impact on you, some renaming and adjustments might be necessary. I apologize in advance; I promise it's for the greater good!

  • Utilities Library Update: The utilities will move to another library and probably get more updates.

  • Models May Move: Models might move to another project or even another repository. I need to plan how different repositories will use shared objects.

  • More Online Tools: I'm working on more online tools that you can use with your projects during development or after deployment.

Microsoft Official Library vs. Betalgo.OpenAI: The Challenges Behind the Scenes

Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room—the Microsoft Official Library versus Betalgo.OpenAI. You might be wondering why I'm continuing to develop my own library when there's an official one out there. Well, grab a cup of tea(or coffee, no judgment here), and let's dive into it.

The Quest for Simplicity 🧘‍♂️

Initially, I aimed for Betalgo.OpenAI to match the interface of the OpenAI Python library, thinking it would make the transition smoother for developers familiar with it. This approach also allowed developers to use OpenAI documentation and Python samples easily with the .NET library. However, I've realized that what developers really need is ease of use and simplicity.

Therefore, I'm shifting my focus to make Betalgo.Ranul.OpenAI even more user-friendly, prioritizing straightforward usage over strict interface matching. The goal is to reduce the learning curve and make it easier for developers to integrate AI into their projects quickly.

While tools like Semantic Kernel and the Official Microsoft Library are powerful, I find their interfaces a bit overcomplicated for my taste. Don't get me wrong—they have their merits—but sometimes you just want to get things done without unnecessary complexity.

Automation: The Developer's Dream 🤖

I've automated some parts of the development process and continue to improve them. While fully automating the entire process remains a developer's dream, these improvements have helped streamline development and enhance productivity. Automating everything isn't quite feasible yet, especially when dealing with rapidly evolving AI APIs, but every little bit helps.

Documentation Woes 📚

One of the biggest hurdles in developing AI libraries is dealing with lagging documentation compared to the actual production code—and let's not forget the lack of changelog documentation. Often, I have to test every field individually or sift through example codes to spot missing or incorrect fields. Relying solely on API documentation or generating code from official YAML files? A pipe dream at this point.

Type Safety Headaches 🤕

Many AI providers use Python, which isn't type-safe. When you're consuming the API with a type-safe language like C#, it becomes a manual implementation nightmare. This challenge has, oddly enough, kept me motivated to continue developing my own library rather than fully embracing the official one.

The Auto-Generation Myth 🧙‍♂️

The official library boasts auto-generated code from YAML files for quicker updates. In theory, this should allow for instant updates whenever the API changes. In practice, however, it's not that simple. When I tried this approach, it slowed me down due to conflicts and discrepancies. Instant updates sound great, but given the current state of documentation and real-time API changes, it's more of a myth than reality.

OpenAI London DevDay Adventure 🎉

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending the OpenAI London DevDay. Feeling lucky to be there is an understatement! Last year, I hoped to fly to San Francisco for their DevDay but couldn't secure an invitation. This time, fortune favored me.

Most of the sessions covered familiar ground, but they included some extra details that were quite insightful. And yes, I might have taken a few too many stickers and pins—but who doesn't love swag?

Meeting fellow developers and the OpenAI team was the real highlight. The conversations broadened my perspective and answered questions I'd been pondering for a long time. This was invaluable and has hopefully paved the way for speeding up the real-time API implementation.

Speaking of which, it's nearly ready! Hold your horses; I know many of you are eagerly waiting, just as I am. I have lots of ideas I want to test, and I'm as eager as you are to complete the implementation. It's coming soon and should support all features, including tools.

Stay Connected

If you'd like to get updates about the Ranul toolset, you can:

Your feedback and real-world use cases are invaluable as we continue to improve and expand these tools. Whether you're an AI enthusiast, a seasoned developer, or just getting started, I hope these libraries make your journey a bit smoother—and maybe even fun!

Wrapping Up

This marks the first installment of my AI Updates Series. Creating and updating these libraries has been a journey filled with challenges, late-night coding sessions, and perhaps one too many cups of tea. But hey, who needs sleep when you have code to write and AI models to tame?

Stay tuned for more updates—in another blog post, I'll compare code examples to show you just how seamless the experience can be with Betalgo.Ranul.OpenAI.

As always, happy coding! 🚀

Cheers,

Tolga