The Graph Applet is the heart of DataCogs. It's where you build your data workflows by connecting nodes together. The Graph Applet is divided into two main areas: the Graph Area and the Node Library.
The Graph is where you build your data workflows. It consists of a canvas where nodes can be dragged and dropped, connected together, and visualize the flow of data through the workflow.
Node: A building block of a workflow that performs a specific operation on data. Nodes can load data, transform data, generate data, visualize results, and more. Each node is an individual program that can run independently.
Port: A connection point on a node where data can be input or output. Each node may have multiple input ports and output ports. Ports are represented by small circles on the sides of a node.
Channel: Each port may have one or more data Channels. A Channel is a strongly typed, bidirectional communication mechanism. Downstream nodes connect to upstream Channels in order to request and receive data. Channels may also be "passed through" a node to downstream nodes.
Connection: A line that connects two nodes together. Connections represent the flow of data between nodes. Data flows from the output of one node to the input of another node.
Input Connection: A connection that carries data into a node. Only one input connection can be connected to each input port of a node.
Output Connection: A connection that carries data out of a node. A node can have multiple output connections, each connected to a different input port of another node.
Data Type: The type of data that a node expects as input or produces as output. Data types include text, numbers, data frames, images, and more. Nodes can only be connected if they produce and consume compatible data types.
Clicking "Node Library" in the top bar of the Graph Applet will open a panel containing all available nodes. Nodes are the building blocks of your data workflows. They perform operations on your data, such as reading files, transforming data, or visualizing results.
The Node Library may also be opened by double-clicking on an empty area of the graph, or by clicking and dragging on an Output Port to an empty area on the graph.