Hello World with StarCoder2

Mar 5, 2024 | Educational

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to utilize the StarCoder2 model! StarCoder2 is an impressive text generation model designed for programming languages and offers exciting opportunities for code generation. In this article, we’ll explore how to set it up and run it, with troubleshooting tips along the way.

Table of Contents

Model Summary

The StarCoder2-3B model has been created with a massive dataset borrowed from various programming languages, targeting an astounding 3 billion parameters. Trained on GitHub code and supplementary data sources like Arxiv and Wikipedia, it is not just a nifty assistant that understands commands; rather, it excels at generating snippets of code efficiently.

Use

Intended Use

The StarCoder2 model is particularly adept at generating code snippets if you provide it with some context. However, keep in mind that it is _not_ an instruction-following model. For example, directly asking it to “Write a function that computes the square root” may yield unsatisfactory results.

Getting Started

To dive into using StarCoder2, you will need to install the transformers library from Hugging Face:

pip install git+https://github.com/huggingface/transformers.git

Running the Model

Now comes the fun part! Running the model is akin to taking a spaceship for a test flight. Let’s break down how you can start generating code:

1. Using Full Precision

from transformers import AutoModelForCausalLM, AutoTokenizer

checkpoint = "bigcode/starcoder2-3b"
device = "cuda" # use "cpu" if necessary
tokenizer = AutoTokenizer.from_pretrained(checkpoint)
model = AutoModelForCausalLM.from_pretrained(checkpoint).to(device)

inputs = tokenizer.encode("def print_hello_world():", return_tensors="pt").to(device)
outputs = model.generate(inputs)
print(tokenizer.decode(outputs[0]))

2. Using torch.bfloat16

import torch
from transformers import AutoTokenizer, AutoModelForCausalLM

checkpoint = "bigcode/starcoder2-3b"
tokenizer = AutoTokenizer.from_pretrained(checkpoint)
model = AutoModelForCausalLM.from_pretrained(checkpoint, device_map="auto", torch_dtype=torch.bfloat16)

inputs = tokenizer.encode("def print_hello_world():", return_tensors="pt").to("cuda")
outputs = model.generate(inputs)
print(tokenizer.decode(outputs[0]))

3. Using 8-bit Precision

from transformers import AutoTokenizer, AutoModelForCausalLM, BitsAndBytesConfig

quantization_config = BitsAndBytesConfig(load_in_8bit=True)
checkpoint = "bigcode/starcoder2-3b"
tokenizer = AutoTokenizer.from_pretrained(checkpoint)
model = AutoModelForCausalLM.from_pretrained(checkpoint, quantization_config=quantization_config)

inputs = tokenizer.encode("def print_hello_world():", return_tensors="pt").to("cuda")
outputs = model.generate(inputs)
print(tokenizer.decode(outputs[0]))

Limitations

While StarCoder2 excels at generating code snippets, it is essential to acknowledge some limitations. The model may produce code that is inefficient, buggy, or even exploitable. Always review the generated code carefully before use. For a detailed discussion on limitations, you can check the research paper.

Training

StarCoder2’s architecture employs a Transformer decoder with grouped-query and sliding window attention, processed over 1.2 million pretraining steps using over 3 trillion tokens. It harnesses cutting-edge technology and methodologies to produce accurate and efficient programming code.

License

This model comes under the BigCode OpenRAIL-M v1 license agreement, which means you can access it while respecting the appropriate licensing terms. More details can be found here.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you face challenges while setting up or using StarCoder2, consider the following strategies:

  • Ensure Compatibility: Make sure that all the required libraries are compatible with your Python version. Check official documentation for guidance.
  • Memory Issues: If your system struggles with memory management, try using quantized versions as shown earlier.
  • Check Dependencies: Make sure that all dependencies are installed properly by running installation commands in a new environment.

For more insights, updates, or to collaborate on AI development projects, stay connected with fxis.ai.

At fxis.ai, we believe that such advancements are crucial for the future of AI, as they enable more comprehensive and effective solutions. Our team is continually exploring new methodologies to push the envelope in artificial intelligence, ensuring that our clients benefit from the latest technological innovations.

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