Exploring the Evolution and Impact of LLM-based Agents in Software Engineering: A Comprehensive Survey of Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions

Exploring the Evolution and Impact of LLM-based Agents in Software Engineering: A Comprehensive Survey of Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions

Exploring the Evolution and Impact of LLM-based Agents in Software Engineering: A Comprehensive Survey of Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions

Introduction

Large Language Models (LLMs) have revolutionized software engineering by enabling tasks such as code generation and vulnerability detection. However, LLMs face limitations in autonomy and self-improvement. LLM-based agents address these limitations by combining LLMs for decision-making and action-taking, paving the way for potential advancements in software engineering practices and towards Artificial General Intelligence.

Research Methodology

A systematic literature review methodology was employed to examine LLMs and LLM-based agents in software engineering, resulting in a robust analysis of their applications and challenges. The final selection included 117 relevant papers, focusing on experimental models and frameworks, and examining performance across various domains.

Key Findings

Results indicated growing interest in LLM-based agents, showcasing their potential to enhance autonomy and self-improvement in software development. The study identified 79 unique LLMs across various software engineering areas and highlighted significant advancements in AI for software engineering, while also identifying areas for further research and development.

Conclusion

The research established a clear distinction between traditional LLMs and LLM-based agents, emphasizing their differing capabilities and performance metrics. LLM-based agents demonstrate potential enhancements to existing processes across various software engineering domains, potentially leading to more autonomous and effective software engineering solutions.

AI Solutions for Business

Identify Automation Opportunities: Locate key customer interaction points that can benefit from AI. Define KPIs: Ensure your AI endeavors have measurable impacts on business outcomes. Select an AI Solution: Choose tools that align with your needs and provide customization. Implement Gradually: Start with a pilot, gather data, and expand AI usage judiciously.

Get in Touch

For AI KPI management advice, connect with us at hello@itinai.com. For continuous insights into leveraging AI, stay tuned on our Telegram or Twitter.

Discover AI Solutions

Discover how AI can redefine your sales processes and customer engagement. Explore solutions at itinai.com.

List of Useful Links:

AI Products for Business or Try Custom Development

AI Sales Bot

Welcome AI Sales Bot, your 24/7 teammate! Engaging customers in natural language across all channels and learning from your materials, it’s a step towards efficient, enriched customer interactions and sales

AI Document Assistant

Unlock insights and drive decisions with our AI Insights Suite. Indexing your documents and data, it provides smart, AI-driven decision support, enhancing your productivity and decision-making.

AI Customer Support

Upgrade your support with our AI Assistant, reducing response times and personalizing interactions by analyzing documents and past engagements. Boost your team and customer satisfaction

AI Scrum Bot

Enhance agile management with our AI Scrum Bot, it helps to organize retrospectives. It answers queries and boosts collaboration and efficiency in your scrum processes.