Development

This page describes how prismAId is built — its software stack, architecture, and the Open Science principles behind it.

To contribute code, documentation, or ideas, see the Contribution Guidelines and the Code of Conduct. To ask questions or propose features, reach us through GitHub issues and discussions, or the Matrix prismAId Support Room.

Software Stack

prismAId is developed in Go, selected for its simplicity and efficiency with concurrent operations. We prioritize the latest stable Go releases to incorporate improvements.

Technical Foundation

prismAId leverages the alembica pure Go package to manage interactions with Large Language Models. This foundation allows us to concentrate on developing robust protocol-based information extraction tools while alembica handles the standardized communication with various LLMs through consistent JSON data schemas, ensuring reliability and interoperability across different AI services.

Toolkit Architecture

The prismAId toolkit is structured as a set of modular tools (Screening, Download, Convert, Review) that can be used together or independently:

• Go Module: Core logic and API access for all tools are implemented in Go.
• Cross-Language Support: Each tool is accessible through:
  • Python Package: Python wrapper around a C shared library compiled from the Go code.
  • R Package: Contains a C shared library with an intermediate C wrapper, enabling R interaction.
  • Julia Package: Contains a C shared library with Julia bindings for direct integration.
• Self-Contained Binaries: Simplifies setup by packaging all dependencies within the binaries.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Fully operational across Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Development Philosophy

• Modularity: Tools that work together but can be used independently following the workflow: Search → Screen → Download → Convert → Review.
• Open Source: We value community contributions and transparency.
• CI/CD Pipelines: Automated testing and deployment maintain quality and reliability.

Open Science Support

prismAId actively supports Open Science principles through:

1. Transparency and Reproducibility
   • prismAId enhances transparency, making analyses understandable and reproducible, with consistent results across systematic reviews.
   • Detailed logs and records improve reproducibility.
2. Accessibility and Collaboration
   • An open-source, openly licensed tool fostering collaboration and participation.
   • Long-term accessibility through Zenodo.
3. Efficiency and Scalability
   • Efficient data handling enables timely, comprehensive reviews.
   • Modular tools allow flexible workflows adapted to different research needs.
4. Quality and Accuracy
   • Explicit prompts define information clearly, ensuring consistent, reliable reviews.
   • Separate tools for each workflow step improve focus and quality.
5. Ethics and Bias Reduction
   • Transparent design minimizes biases, with community oversight supporting ethical standards.
6. Scientific Innovation
   • Standardized, reusable methods facilitate innovation, cumulative knowledge, and rapid knowledge dissemination.