Jigsaw: Large Language Models meet Program Synthesis (2112.02969v1)

Abstract: Large pre-trained LLMs such as GPT-3, Codex, and Google's LLM are now capable of generating code from natural language specifications of programmer intent. We view these developments with a mixture of optimism and caution. On the optimistic side, such LLMs have the potential to improve productivity by providing an automated AI pair programmer for every programmer in the world. On the cautionary side, since these LLMs do not understand program semantics, they offer no guarantees about quality of the suggested code. In this paper, we present an approach to augment these LLMs with post-processing steps based on program analysis and synthesis techniques, that understand the syntax and semantics of programs. Further, we show that such techniques can make use of user feedback and improve with usage. We present our experiences from building and evaluating such a tool jigsaw, targeted at synthesizing code for using Python Pandas API using multi-modal inputs. Our experience suggests that as these LLMs evolve for synthesizing code from intent, jigsaw has an important role to play in improving the accuracy of the systems.

An Overview of "Jigsaw: LLMs Meet Program Synthesis"

The paper "Jigsaw: LLMs Meet Program Synthesis" presents an approach to augment LLMs like GPT-3, Codex, and others, with supplementary program synthesis techniques to enhance their capabilities in synthesizing code. The authors propose Jigsaw, a system that integrates with LLMs to improve the quality and correctness of code generated from natural language specifications. The architecture of Jigsaw is particularly aimed at handling the intricacies of large APIs such as Python's Pandas.

Key Contributions

The authors introduce a multi-modal specification framework that not only considers natural language input but also incorporates input-output examples for synthesizing code. This approach helps in addressing ambiguities inherent in natural language commands. The paper identifies the limitations of LLMs, which do not understand program semantics, leading to issues with code correctness and quality.

Methodology

Jigsaw consists of both pre-processing and post-processing modules to improve code synthesis:

1. Pre-Processing: This module prepares input for the LLM by creating a context bank filled with relevant question-answer pairs. Techniques are employed to select context prompt examples similar to the current query, thereby enhancing the LLM's performance in generating more accurate code.
2. Post-Processing: This involves syntactic and semantic checks on the code output from the LLM. It includes systematic variable name transformations and argument transformations to correct common errors. Moreover, Jigsaw learns Abstract Syntax Tree (AST)-to-AST transformations from user feedback, allowing it to handle errors specific to syntax and semantics effectively.

Experimental Results

Jigsaw was evaluated on two datasets: one curated by the authors and another gathered from user inputs during a hackathon. The experiments showcased Jigsaw's significant performance improvements over baseline LLM outputs and other state-of-the-art code synthesis frameworks like Autopandas. The tool was able to correct over 15%–40% of outputs, according to the authors' evaluation, through its post-processing mechanisms. Moreover, it demonstrated robustness and adaptability by learning from user interaction and feedback over time.

Implications and Future Directions

The implications of this research are substantial in the field of AI-assisted coding, proposing a symbiotic relationship between LLMs and program analysis techniques. While Jigsaw enhances the quality of synthesized code, multiple areas require further exploration:

• Specification Diversity: Enhancing multi-modal specifications beyond natural language and I/O examples to include preconditions, postconditions, and other contextual program invariants could enrich the synthesis process.
• Scalability and Generalization: Extending Jigsaw's framework to support other libraries and programming languages could significantly broaden its applicability.

Conclusion

The paper provides a substantial contribution to the field of program synthesis by effectively utilizing LLMs in conjunction with program analysis and synthesis techniques. As LLMs evolve, systems like Jigsaw will continue to play a crucial role in bridging the gap between natural language specifications and high-quality code synthesis, opening new avenues for AI-enhanced software development.