What's the difference between ChatDev and MetaGPT?

[chansonzhang]

What's the difference between ChatDev and MetaGPT?

[Nbtguyoriginal]

Decided to answer this

Comparison of MetaGPT and ChatDev Repositories

MetaGPT Repository

Overview:

• Purpose: A multi-agent framework that assigns different roles to GPTs to form a collaborative software entity for complex tasks.
• Description: Takes a one-line requirement as input and produces outputs like user stories, competitive analysis, requirements, data structures, APIs, and documents. Simulates the entire process of a software company with orchestrated SOPs.

Core Files & Functionality:

• memory.py: Defines a basic memory structure called "super-memory".
• longterm_memory.py: Provides long-term memory functionalities.
• test_longterm_memory.py: Test file for long-term memory functionalities.

Installation & Configuration:

• Detailed installation instructions, both traditionally and using Docker.
• Configuration includes setting up the OPENAI_API_KEY and other environment variables.

Usage & Examples:

• Tutorial on initiating a startup using the framework.
• Example: python startup.py "Write a cli snake game" generates a new project.

Documentation & Support:

• Comprehensive documentation in English, Chinese, and Japanese.
• Discord channel for discussions and support.

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ChatDev Repository

Overview:

• Purpose: A chatbot development framework.
• Description: Provides functionalities related to chatbot development, such as message handling, chat sessions, and database integrations.

Core Files & Functionality:

• chatbot.py: Main chatbot functionalities.
• database.py: Database integration and handling.
• session.py: Manages chat sessions.

Installation & Configuration:

• Detailed installation instructions.
• Configuration includes setting up the chatbot parameters.

Usage & Examples:

• Examples related to chatbot functionalities.

Documentation & Support:

• Comprehensive documentation.
• Support through GitHub issues.

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Comparison:

1. Purpose:

   • MetaGPT simulates a software company's entire process using GPTs.
   • ChatDev focuses on chatbot development.

2. Functionality:

   • MetaGPT assigns roles to GPTs and generates software components.
   • ChatDev provides chatbot functionalities.

3. Memory Handling:

   • MetaGPT has both short-term and long-term memory functionalities.
   • ChatDev does not emphasize memory handling.

4. Installation & Configuration:

   • Both provide detailed installation instructions.
   • MetaGPT offers Docker installation.

5. Usage & Examples:

   • MetaGPT generates software components.
   • ChatDev provides chatbot functionalities.

6. Documentation:

   • MetaGPT offers documentation in multiple languages.
   • ChatDev provides documentation in English.

[qianc62]

MetaGPT and ChatDev both support automated software development, but there are some differences in architecture design, technical implementation, support functions and so on.

Features	MetaGPT	ChatDev
Process Standardization	Standardized Operating Procedures	Chat Chain
Task-Solving Mode	Instruction Following	Agents' Communication
Architectural Design	System Interfaces	—①
Code Hallucination Alleviation	—	Thought Instruction
Art Design	—	Text-to-Image Designer
Memory	Contextual Retrieval	Short-Memory Sharing
Message Sharing	Agent-level Broadcasting	Phase-level Passing
Version Management	—	Git
Automatic Testing	—②	Interpreter Feedback
Natural-Language Document	Product Requirement Document	User Manual

^①MetaGPT explicitly designs the architecture through sequence flow; The difference is that ChatDev's architectural design is implicitly implemented through a generative foundation model. ^②MetaGPT's official repository does not currently support automated testing of software development (as of September 19, 2023). For more detailed differences, please refer to the original papers and the open source repositories. If there are any inappropriate aspects mentioned above, we hope for criticisms and corrections.