Skip to content

Nodes and Edges#

Nodes#

Nodes are archetypes forming part of a graph, holding properties. They can be compared to custom classes in object-oriented programming (OOP).

1
2
3
4
5
6
node node_name{
    has node_property: int;
}
node node_name{
    has node_property: int = 10;
}

Custom Node Types#

  • You can define custom node types to create specific instances within the graph.
  • Each node can have attributes (like fields in a class) and abilities (similar to methods in OOP).

Abilities in Nodes#

  • Callable Abilities: They are similar to standard methods in OOP. Inside any ability, the node can refer to itself using the self keyword, much like in OOP.

  • Visit-dependent Abilities: These abilities are only triggered when a specific type of "walker" (discussed later) interacts with the node. This ensures that certain actions are performed only in response to a walker's visit. In these abilities, a special keyword here is used to reference the visiting walker. This allows you to access the walker's attributes and abilities directly during its interaction with the node.

  • This is an example of defining a node. 

     1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
    node test_node {
    has value: int;

    can log_entry with entry {
        print(f">>> Some Walker entered the node: ", self);
    }
    can log_test_walker_entry with test_walker entry {
        print(f">>> {here} entered the node {self}");
        here.callable();
    }
    can log_test_walker_exit with test_walker exit {
        print(f"<<< {here} exited the node {self}");
    }
    can log_exit with exit {
        print(f"<<< Some Walker exited the node {self}");
    }
    def callable {
        print(f"===== Callable on {self}");
    }
}

Connecting Nodes#

Nodes in JacLang can establish connections in various ways, offering flexibility for building complex graphs:

  • One-to-One: A single node connects to another single node.
  • One-to-Many: A single node connects to multiple nodes.
  • Many-to-One: Multiple nodes connect to a single node.
  • Many-to-Many: A group of nodes connects to another group of nodes.

This versatility allows for creating intricate and highly interconnected graph structures, tailored to the specific needs of your application.

 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
10
node MyNode{}

with entry{
first_node = MyNode();
second_node = MyNode();

root ++> first_node;
first_node ++> second_node;

}
Graph 
flowchart LR
0 --> 1
1 --> 2
0["Root()"]
1["MyNode()"]
2["MyNode()"]
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
10
node MyNode{}

with entry{
first_node = MyNode();
second_tier = [MyNode() for i in range(2)];

root ++> first_node;
first_node ++> second_tier; # one to many

}
Graph 
flowchart LR
0 --> 1
1 --> 2
1 --> 3
0["Root()"]
1["MyNode()"]
2["MyNode()"]
3["MyNode()"]
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
node MyNode{}

with entry{
first_tier = [MyNode() for i in range(2)];
second_node = MyNode();
root ++> first_tier;
first_tier ++> second_node; # many to one

}
Graph 
flowchart LR
0 --> 1
1 --> 2
3 --> 2
0 --> 3
0["Root()"]
1["MyNode()"]
2["MyNode()"]
3["MyNode()"]
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
10
11
12
node MyNode{}

with entry{
    first_tier =[MyNode() for i in range(2)];
    second_tier =[MyNode() for i in range(2)];

    root ++> first_tier;
    first_tier ++> second_tier;

    end_tier = MyNode();
    second_tier ++> end_tier;
}
Graph 
flowchart LR
0 --> 1
1 --> 2
3 --> 2
0 --> 3
3 --> 4
1 --> 4
4 --> 5
2 --> 5
0["Root()"]
1["MyNode()"]
2["MyNode()"]
3["MyNode()"]
4["MyNode()"]
5["MyNode()"]

Edges#

Nodes can be linked using either default edges (generic connections) or custom edges, which have specific properties as shown in the following examples.

1
2
3
4
with entry {
  node_1 ++> node_2; # uni directional edge
  node_1 <++> node_2; # bidirectional edge
}

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
edge custom1 {
    has atrib1:str;
}

with entry {
  node_1 +:custom1:atrib1='val1':+> node_2; # uni directional edge
  node_1 <+:custom1:atrib1='val2':+> node_2; # bidirectional edge
}

To delete an edge between two nodes the `del keyword can be used as shown below.

1
node_1 del --> node_2;