What is Function Calling?
TL;DR
A capability that allows LLMs to automatically invoke external functions and APIs to perform real-world tasks.
Function Calling: Definition & Explanation
Function Calling is a capability that enables LLMs to analyze user instructions and automatically invoke appropriate external functions or APIs. For example, when asked 'What's the weather in Tokyo?', the LLM can call a weather API to retrieve the latest forecast and incorporate it into its response. Major LLMs including OpenAI's GPT-4, Anthropic's Claude, and Google's Gemini offer this functionality. Through Function Calling, LLMs evolve beyond simple text generation into AI agents capable of performing real-world actions such as searching databases, making reservations, and sending emails.