Principle:Mbzuai oryx Awesome LLM Post training Collection Parameter Configuration
| Knowledge Sources | |
|---|---|
| Domains | Data_Collection, Configuration |
| Last Updated | 2026-02-08 07:30 GMT |
Overview
A configuration pattern that establishes global runtime parameters governing the behavior of automated data collection pipelines.
Description
Collection Parameter Configuration is the practice of defining key operational constants at the module level before any data collection begins. These parameters control aspects such as output directories, collection caps, recursion limits, and rate-limiting behavior. By centralizing these values, the pattern ensures consistent behavior across all pipeline stages and makes it straightforward to adjust collection scope without modifying core logic.
This pattern addresses the problem of hard-coded values scattered throughout collection scripts, which makes tuning and debugging difficult. It is especially important for API-driven data gathering where rate limits, maximum record counts, and depth controls directly affect both data quality and compliance with API terms of service.
Usage
Use this principle when designing any automated data collection pipeline that interacts with external APIs. It is the appropriate first step when the pipeline requires:
- Configurable output paths for collected data
- Caps on total records to prevent runaway collection
- Rate-limit parameters to comply with API usage policies
- Recursion or depth limits for graph-traversal collection patterns
Theoretical Basis
The configuration pattern follows a simple principle: separate policy from mechanism. The mechanism (how to search, fetch, and store) remains constant, while the policy (how many, how deep, how fast) is defined in a single location.
Pseudo-code Logic:
# Abstract configuration pattern (NOT real implementation)
OUTPUT_DIR = define_output_path()
MAX_RECORDS = set_collection_cap()
MAX_DEPTH = set_recursion_limit()
RATE_LIMIT_WAIT = set_api_backoff_seconds()
state_tracker = initialize_deduplication_store()
Key design decisions:
- Immutable constants (caps, paths, wait times) defined at module top
- Mutable state (counters, processed-set) initialized alongside constants
- Directory creation performed eagerly to fail fast on permission errors