Compare Retrieval-Augmented Generation with Context-Augmented Generation: how each supplies knowledge, where each fits, and when a hybrid approach wins.
RAG
Retrieves relevant information for each query.
CAG
Provides selected knowledge directly inside the model context.
RAG advantages
Fresh data, large sources, and traceable documents.
CAG advantages
Fast responses, a simpler flow, and consistent context.
Decision
Choose RAG for broad or changing knowledge and CAG for stable, bounded context.
Hybrid
RAG and CAG can be combined when the use case needs both.