Are LLMs Correctly Integrated into Software Systems?
On the map: Retrieval-augmented generation → RAG for code
Abstract (arXiv)
Large language models (LLMs) provide effective solutions in various application scenarios, with the support of retrieval-augmented generation (RAG). However, developers face challenges in integrating LLM and RAG into software systems, due to lacking interface specifications, various requirements from software context, and complicated system management. In this paper, we have conducted a comprehensive study of 100 open-source applications that incorporate LLMs with RAG support, and identified 18 defect patterns. Our study reveals that 77% of these applications contain more than three types of integration defects that degrade software functionality, efficiency, and security. Guided by our study, we propose systematic guidelines for resolving these defects in software life cycle. We also construct an open-source defect library Hydrangea.
Key facts. Cited by 15 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026). Placed in RAG for code, one of 15 directions in Retrieval-augmented generation. Builds on 51 of its 99 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 6 Jul 2024.
Builds on
51 of 99 references.
Closest ancestors · 2
Same direction, newest first
- 2023RAP-Gen: Retrieval-Augmented Patch Generation with CodeT5 for Automatic Program Repair12 Sep
- 2021Retrieval Augmented Code Generation and Summarization26 Aug
Other references · 49
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- 2023DecodingTrust: A Comprehensive Assessment of Trustworthiness in GPT Modelscited by 518
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- 2023RepoCoder: Repository-Level Code Completion Through Iterative Retrieval and Generationcited by 367
- 2024Retrieval-Augmented Generation for AI-Generated Content: A Surveycited by 354
- 2017DeepXplore: Automated Whitebox Testing of Deep Learning Systemscited by 311
- 2024TrustLLM: Trustworthiness in Large Language Modelscited by 285
- 2017DeepTest: Automated Testing of Deep-Neural-Network-driven Autonomous Carscited by 251
- 2023MathPrompter: Mathematical Reasoning using Large Language Modelscited by 236
- 2023Large Language Models as Commonsense Knowledge for Large-Scale Task Planningcited by 231
- 2022DocPrompting: Generating Code by Retrieving the Docscited by 153
- 2018DeepGauge: Multi-Granularity Testing Criteria for Deep Learning Systemscited by 147
- 2024Seven Failure Points When Engineering a Retrieval Augmented Generation Systemcited by 139
- 2018Guiding Deep Learning System Testing using Surprise Adequacycited by 124
- 2023Evaluating Open-Domain Question Answering in the Era of Large Language Modelscited by 111
- 2024Beyond Functional Correctness: Exploring Hallucinations in LLM-Generated Codecited by 107
- 2023LLM-Eval: Unified Multi-Dimensional Automatic Evaluation for Open-Domain Conversations with Large Language Modelscited by 101
- 2019Taxonomy of Real Faults in Deep Learning Systemscited by 90
- 2023Fuzz4All: Universal Fuzzing with Large Language Modelscited by 88
- 2022Automated Repair of Programs from Large Language Modelscited by 71
- 2018A First Look at Deep Learning Apps on Smartphonescited by 47
- 2024CYCLE: Learning to Self-Refine the Code Generationcited by 42
- 2024PlanRAG: A Plan-then-Retrieval Augmented Generation for Generative Large Language Models as Decision Makerscited by 42
- 2023Prompting Is All You Need: Automated Android Bug Replay with Large Language Modelscited by 40
- 2023Demystifying RCE Vulnerabilities in LLM-Integrated Appscited by 37
- 2019An Empirical Study towards Characterizing Deep Learning Development and Deployment across Different Frameworks and Platformscited by 35
- 2023Prompt Packer: Deceiving LLMs through Compositional Instruction with Hidden Attackscited by 35
- 2022NNSmith: Generating Diverse and Valid Test Cases for Deep Learning Compilerscited by 30
- 2023DB-GPT: Empowering Database Interactions with Private Large Language Modelscited by 27
- 2021DocTer: Documentation Guided Fuzzing for Testing Deep Learning API Functionscited by 22
- 2021An Empirical Study on Deployment Faults of Deep Learning Based Mobile Applicationscited by 20
- 2021Self-Checking Deep Neural Networks in Deploymentcited by 18
- 2021PatchCensor: Patch Robustness Certification for Transformers via Exhaustive Testingcited by 12
- 2021Efficient Online ML API Selection for Multi-Label Classification Taskscited by 11
- 2023Invalidator: Automated Patch Correctness Assessment via Semantic and Syntactic Reasoningcited by 11
- 2021ArchRepair: Block-Level Architecture-Oriented Repairing for Deep Neural Networkscited by 7
- 2022Cost Effective MLaaS Federation: A Combinatorial Reinforcement Learning Approachcited by 3
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Citing papers per year: 2024: 1; 2025: 7; 2026: 7.
15 papers.
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- 2026Why Does the LLM Stop Computing: An Empirical Study of User-Reported Failures in Open-Source LLMs20 Jan 2026
- 2026LIDL: LLM Integration Defect Localization via Knowledge Graph-Enhanced Multi-Agent Analysis9 Jan 2026
- 2025Specification and Detection of LLM Code Smells19 Dec 2025
- 2025Agent READMEs: An Empirical Study of Context Files for Agentic Coding17 Nov 2025
- 2025A Research Roadmap for Augmenting Software Engineering Processes and Software Products with Generative AI30 Oct 2025
- 2025A Taxonomy of Prompt Defects in LLM Systems17 Sep 2025
- 2025SWE-Exp: Experience-Driven Software Issue Resolution31 Jul 2025
- 2025Agent READMEs: An Empirical Study of Context Files for Agentic Codingcited by 23
- 2025Can Agents Fix Agent Issues?cited by 9
- 2026LIDL: LLM Integration Defect Localization via Knowledge Graph-Enhanced Multi-Agent Analysiscited by 2
- 2026MemRepair: Hierarchical Memory for Agentic Repository-Level Vulnerability Repaircited by 0
- 2026AgentBug-Smith: Automatically Reproducing Real-World Harness Bugs in Agentic Systemscited by 0
- 2026AgentBug-Smith: Automatically Reproducing Real-World Harness Bugs in Agentic Systems29 Sep 2026
- 2026MemRepair: Hierarchical Memory for Agentic Repository-Level Vulnerability Repair17 May 2026
- 2026LIDL: LLM Integration Defect Localization via Knowledge Graph-Enhanced Multi-Agent Analysis9 Jan 2026
- 2025Agent READMEs: An Empirical Study of Context Files for Agentic Coding17 Nov 2025
- 2025Can Agents Fix Agent Issues?27 May 2025
- 2025SWE-Exp: Experience-Driven Software Issue Resolutioncited by 65
- 2025Understanding, Detecting, and Repairing Real-World In-Context-Learning-Based Text-to-SQL Errorscited by 14
- 2025A Taxonomy of Prompt Defects in LLM Systemscited by 8
- 2026Why Does the LLM Stop Computing: An Empirical Study of User-Reported Failures in Open-Source LLMscited by 3
- 2025A Research Roadmap for Augmenting Software Engineering Processes and Software Products with Generative AIcited by 1
- 2026Key Considerations for Domain Expert Involvement in LLM Design and Evaluation: An Ethnographic Studycited by 1
- 2025Specification and Detection of LLM Code Smellscited by 0
- 2026LLM Code Smells: A Taxonomy and Detection Approachcited by 0
- 2026LLM Code Smells: A Taxonomy and Detection Approach21 May 2026
- 2026Key Considerations for Domain Expert Involvement in LLM Design and Evaluation: An Ethnographic Study16 Feb 2026
- 2026Why Does the LLM Stop Computing: An Empirical Study of User-Reported Failures in Open-Source LLMs20 Jan 2026
- 2025Specification and Detection of LLM Code Smells19 Dec 2025
- 2025A Research Roadmap for Augmenting Software Engineering Processes and Software Products with Generative AI30 Oct 2025
- 2025A Taxonomy of Prompt Defects in LLM Systems17 Sep 2025
- 2025SWE-Exp: Experience-Driven Software Issue Resolution31 Jul 2025
- 2025Understanding, Detecting, and Repairing Real-World In-Context-Learning-Based Text-to-SQL Errors16 Jan 2025
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- 2024Themes of Building LLM-based Applications for Production: A Practitioner's View ↗
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