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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

This section addresses common questions related to Flock, including its features, usage, and best practices. If your question is not answered here, feel free to contact us or refer to other sections in the documentation.

General Questions​

What is Flock?

Flock is an extension for DuckDB designed to bring semantic analysis capabilities directly into your SQL queries. It deeply integrates capabilities of language models and retrieval-augmented generation using a set of map and reduce functions.

Who can benefit from using Flock?

Flock is designed for developers, data scientists, and businesses that need to leverage semantic analysis alongside traditional SQL operations. It’s especially valuable for use cases like document ranking, content generation, and semantic search.

Features​

What are the key features of Flock?

Flock offers:

  • Model Management: Configure system-defined and user-defined models.
  • Prompt Management: Create and manage reusable text prompts.
  • API Keys Management: Store and manage API keys securely for supported providers.
  • Integration with DuckDB: Leverage DuckDB’s powerful SQL engine alongside semantic capabilities.
  • Support for Multiple Providers: Access OpenAI, Azure, and Ollama models for various tasks.
  • Local Inference with Ollama: Perform inference on-premises with LLaMA models.
  • Scalar Functions: Use functions like llm_complete, and llm_filter for advanced tasks.
  • Aggregate Functions: Perform summarization, ranking, and reordering with functions like llm_reduce and llm_rerank.
Which providers are supported in Flock?

Flock currently supports:

  • OpenAI
  • Azure
  • Ollama

Installation and Setup​

How do I install Flock?

You can install Flock sinmply by running the following command:

INSTALL flock FROM community;
LOAD flock;
Are there any prerequisites for using Flock?

Yes, you need:

  • DuckDB (latest version recommended).
  • API keys for the providers you plan to use (e.g., OpenAI, Azure).
  • For local inference with Ollama, ensure the appropriate hardware and dependencies are installed.

Using Flock​

How do I manage models in Flock?

You can manage models using SQL commands like:

  • CREATE MODEL
  • UPDATE MODEL
  • DELETE MODEL Refer to the Model Management section for detailed examples.
How do I set up secrets for providers?

Check the Secrets Management section for a step-by-step guide.

Can I create custom prompts for my tasks?

Yes, you can create and manage custom prompts using the CREATE PROMPT and UPDATE PROMPT commands. See the Prompt Management section for more details.

Troubleshooting​

What should I do if a query fails?
  • Verify that the model and provider are correctly configured.
  • Ensure the secret keys for providers are valid and up-to-date.
  • Check the input data for any inconsistencies.
How do I debug API-related errors?
  • Check your API usage limits and ensure the key is active.
  • Use the GET SECRET command to confirm the correct key is being used.
  • Look at error messages from the provider (e.g., OpenAI or Azure).
Why is the response time slow for some queries?

Response times may vary based on:

  • The provider (e.g., API latency for OpenAI or Azure).
  • The complexity of the query.
  • Hardware limitations (for local inference with Ollama).
  • The batch size used during inference.
  • The model's context window:
    • Larger context windows may increase processing time.
    • Smaller context windows with large datasets can lead to multiple API calls, increasing latency.

Additional Help​

Where can I find more resources on Flock?
How can I contact support?

For technical support, email us.

Got more questions? Let us know, and we’ll be happy to assist!