DEV Community

Cover image for Memories for LLMs: memories to store conversations and manage limited context space
Rutam Bhagat
Rutam Bhagat

Posted on • Updated on

Memories for LLMs: memories to store conversations and manage limited context space

Have you ever found yourself in a conversation with a chatbot, only to realize that it doesn't seem to remember anything you've said before?

It's a frustrating experience, isn't it? Well, my friend, you're not alone. But what if I told you that there's a solution that can breathe life into your chatbot conversations and make them feel seamless and natural? Introducing LangChain's Memory, the most important part of chatbot development.

In this blog post, I'll explore LangChain's Memory and how it can revolutionize your chatbot experience. I'll dive into four distinct memory types.

Image description

ConversationBufferMemory: Remember everything

Imagine having a chatbot that can effortlessly recall every word you've said, just like a real conversation. That's the beauty of ConversationBufferMemory. Let's see it in action:

Image description

Image description

ConversationBufferWindowMemory: Keeping it Fresh

Sometimes, you don't need to remember every single detail of a conversation. That's where ConversationBufferWindowMemory comes into play. It allows you to specify a window size, keeping only the most recent exchanges in memory.

Image description

Image description

Image description

With k=1, the chatbot can only remember the most recent exchange, forgetting the initial introduction where you mentioned your name. This memory type keeps the conversation fresh and focused on the most recent context.

ConversationTokenBufferMemory: The Cost-Effective Solution

In the world of chatbots, tokens are the currency, and LangChain has your back with ConversationTokenBufferMemory. This memory type limits the number of tokens stored, helping you manage your budget while still maintaining a natural conversational flow.

Image description

Image description

By setting a max_token_limit of 50, you can control the memory's size, ensuring cost-effectiveness without compromising the user experience. The memory will prioritize storing the most recent exchanges while staying within the token limit.

ConversationSummaryMemory: The Executive Summary

Sometimes, you need a high-level overview of a conversation, and that's where ConversationSummaryMemory shines. This memory type uses an LLM (Large Language Model) to generate a concise summary of the conversation, allowing your chatbot to grasp the essence of the dialogue quickly.

Image description

Image description

By setting a max_token_limit of 100, the memory generates a concise summary of the conversation, capturing the essence of the dialogue. It's like having an executive assistant that can provide you with the key points of a meeting, without getting bogged down in the nitty-gritty details.

Image description

Conclusion

With LangChain's Memory, you can now transform your chatbot conversations into engaging, seamless experiences. Whether you need to retain every detail, keep things fresh and focused, manage costs, or grasp the essence of a dialogue, LangChain has a memory type that fits your needs.

Top comments (0)