AI engineering glossary · Prompt context engineering
What is structured output?
Structured output: Getting a model to reply in a fixed, machine-readable shape such as JSON with named fields, instead of free text. It lets programs consume the answer directly. Methods range from careful prompting to decoding that enforces a schema.
Structured output: an example
A resume parser returns {"name": "Asha", "skills": ["SQL","Python"], "years": 3} every time.
Related terms
More Prompt context engineering terms
- System prompt
- Task decomposition
- Template variable
- Thinking budget
- Token budget
- Token counting
- Token pricing
- Tool choice
Where you learn it
Structured output is part of the AI Engineering Program, which teaches it with notes, a hands-on lab and an exam. The first lesson is free.