Definition
The baseline architectural pattern for Retrieval-Augmented Generation that follows a linear 'Index-Retrieve-Generate' workflow without iterative loops or query optimization. While simple to implement and offering low latency, it frequently suffers from poor retrieval precision, 'Lost in the Middle' context issues, and a lack of reasoning over complex, multi-part queries.
The standard 'hello world' of RAG, lacking advanced steps like re-ranking, query expansion, or agentic feedback loops.
"A basic keyword search in a physical library where you grab the first three books on the shelf and read them regardless of whether they actually answer your specific question."
Conceptual Overview
The baseline architectural pattern for Retrieval-Augmented Generation that follows a linear 'Index-Retrieve-Generate' workflow without iterative loops or query optimization. While simple to implement and offering low latency, it frequently suffers from poor retrieval precision, 'Lost in the Middle' context issues, and a lack of reasoning over complex, multi-part queries.
Disambiguation
The standard 'hello world' of RAG, lacking advanced steps like re-ranking, query expansion, or agentic feedback loops.
Visual Analog
A basic keyword search in a physical library where you grab the first three books on the shelf and read them regardless of whether they actually answer your specific question.