Introduction to Ragas

The Ragas project is designed to facilitate backend development for data management systems, allowing developers to integrate various storage solutions seamlessly. With support for CSV files, databases, and cloud platforms, Ragas provides a flexible architecture that can be tailored to meet specific project needs.

Understanding the Architecture

The Ragas backend system employs a two-layer architecture:

• ProjectBackend: Manages project-level operations such as creating datasets and experiments.
• DatasetBackend: Handles individual dataset operations, including CRUD operations.

This architecture allows for a clear separation of concerns, making it easier to manage complex data workflows.

High-Level Flow

Project -> ProjectBackend -> DatasetBackend -> Storage (CSV, DB, API, etc.)

Key Features of Ragas

• Support for multiple storage backends.
• Easy integration of custom backends through a plugin system.
• Automatic discovery of backends using setuptools entry points.
• Robust architecture for managing datasets and experiments.

Setting Up Ragas

To get started with Ragas, follow these steps:

1. Clone the repository from GitHub.
2. Install the required dependencies using pip:

pip install -r requirements.txt

3. Run the setup script to configure your environment.

Usage Examples

Here’s how to create a custom backend:

Step 1: Implement the Backend Classes

class MyDatasetBackend(DatasetBackend):
    def __init__(self, connection_params: str, dataset_info: dict):
        self.connection_params = connection_params
        self.dataset_info = dataset_info
        self.dataset = None

    def initialize(self, dataset):
        self.dataset = dataset
        # Setup storage connection, create tables/files, etc.

Step 2: Register the Backend

def _register_builtin_backends(self) -> None:
    self.register_backend("my_storage", MyProjectBackend, aliases=["custom"])

Community and Contributions

The Ragas project thrives on community contributions. Developers are encouraged to submit their custom backends and improvements. To contribute:

• Fork the repository.
• Create a new branch for your feature.
• Submit a pull request with a clear description of your changes.

License and Legal Considerations

The Ragas project is licensed under the Apache License 2.0. This allows for both personal and commercial use, provided that proper attribution is given. For more details, refer to the license documentation.

Conclusion

Ragas provides a powerful framework for integrating custom storage solutions into your projects. With its flexible architecture and community-driven approach, it’s an excellent choice for developers looking to enhance their data management capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions