Reasoning Vs Reasoning Content

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Introduction

In the realm of API responses, consistency is key. However, when dealing with external providers and custom solutions like DeepSeek, inconsistencies can arise. This article delves into the issue of reasoning vs reasoning_content in JSON responses, highlighting the challenges and proposing a solution to ensure compatibility across providers.

The Problem

When interacting with external providers, you might encounter a reasoning field in the JSON response. Conversely, DeepSeek returns a reasoning_content field. This discrepancy can lead to issues when parsing responses, as only one of these fields might be present depending on the provider.

Steps to Reproduce

To replicate this issue, follow these steps:

  1. Choose a provider: Select a provider that returns only reasoning or only reasoning_content in the message JSON.
  2. Attempt to unmarshal: Use the previous struct definition to unmarshal the response.
  3. Observe the result: Note that the reasoning content may be missing in the parsed struct.

Current Implementation

Right now, we only support reasoning_content, which is the default DeepSeek format:

type Message struct {
    Role             string     `json:"role"`
    Content          string     `json:"content"`
    ReasoningContent string     `json:"reasoning_content,omitempty"`
    ToolCalls        []ToolCall `json:"tool_calls,omitempty"`
}

The Fix

To address this issue, we can implement a custom UnmarshalJSON method for the Message struct to support both fields. This approach ensures that if reasoning_content is missing but reasoning is present, it will use the value from reasoning:

type Message struct {
    Role             string     `json:"role"`
    Content          string     `json:"content"`
    ReasoningContent string     `json:"reasoning_content,omitempty"`
    ToolCalls        []ToolCall `json:"tool_calls,omitempty"`
}

// Custom unmarshal to support both "reasoning_content" and "reasoning"
func (m *Message) UnmarshalJSON(data []byte) error {
    type Alias Message
    aux := &struct {
        Reasoning *string `json:"reasoning,omitempty"`
        *Alias
    }{
        Alias: (*Alias)(m),
    }
    if err := json.Unmarshal(data, &aux); err != nil {
        return err
    }
    // Prefer reasoning_content, but fallback to reasoning if present
    if m.ReasoningContent == "" && aux.Reasoning != nil {
        m.ReasoningContent = *aux.Reasoning
    }
    return nil
}

Expected Behavior

The reasoning content should be correctly parsed from either reasoning_content or reasoning, regardless of which provider is used.

Environment

  • OS: Mac OS
  • Go Version: 1.24.0
  • deepseek-go Version: deepseek-go 1.3.0

Additional Context

This fix ensures compatibility with both DeepSeek and external providers like OpenRouter, improving robustness when handling varied API responses. By implementing a custom UnmarshalJSON method, we can seamlessly integrate with different providers, reducing the risk of errors and inconsistencies.

Conclusion

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored the issue of reasoning vs reasoning_content in JSON responses and proposed a solution to ensure compatibility across providers. In this Q&A article, we'll delve deeper into the topic, addressing common questions and concerns.

Q: What is the main issue with reasoning vs reasoning_content?

A: The main issue is that different providers return different fields in their JSON responses. This discrepancy can lead to errors and inconsistencies when parsing responses, as only one of these fields might be present depending on the provider.

Q: Why is it essential to support both reasoning and reasoning_content?

A: Supporting both fields ensures that your application can handle varied API responses, reducing the risk of errors and inconsistencies. This is particularly important when working with external providers, as their responses may differ from those of your custom solution.

Q: How does the custom UnmarshalJSON method address the issue?

A: The custom UnmarshalJSON method checks for the presence of both reasoning_content and reasoning fields in the JSON response. If reasoning_content is missing but reasoning is present, it uses the value from reasoning. This approach ensures that the reasoning content is correctly parsed from either field.

Q: What are the benefits of implementing a custom UnmarshalJSON method?

A: Implementing a custom UnmarshalJSON method provides several benefits, including:

  • Improved compatibility: Your application can handle varied API responses, reducing the risk of errors and inconsistencies.
  • Increased robustness: Your application is more resilient to changes in provider responses, ensuring a more reliable experience for your users.
  • Simplified development: By supporting both fields, you can simplify your development process, as you won't need to worry about handling different provider responses.

Q: How does this solution impact my application's performance?

A: The custom UnmarshalJSON method should not significantly impact your application's performance. The method is designed to be efficient, checking for the presence of both fields in a single pass. This approach minimizes the overhead of additional checks and ensures that your application remains responsive.

Q: Can I apply this solution to other fields in my JSON responses?

A: Yes, you can apply this solution to other fields in your JSON responses. The custom UnmarshalJSON method is a generic approach that can be adapted to support multiple fields. By following the same pattern, you can ensure that your application can handle varied API responses, reducing the risk of errors and inconsistencies.

Q: What are the next steps after implementing this solution?

A: After implementing the custom UnmarshalJSON method, you should:

  • Test your application: Verify that your application can handle varied API responses, including those with both reasoning_content and reasoning fields.
  • Monitor your application's performance: Ensure that the custom UnmarshalJSON method does not impact your application's performance.
  • Refine your solution: Based on your testing and monitoring results, refine your solution to optimize performance and ensure the best possible experience for your users.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the issue of reasoning vs reasoning_content in JSON responses can be resolved by implementing a custom UnmarshalJSON method. This approach ensures compatibility across providers, making it an essential solution for developers working with API responses. By following the steps outlined in this Q&A article, you can ensure that your application can handle varied API responses, providing a more robust and reliable experience for your users.