Migration

The current version of the framework contains numerous breaking changes compared to its predecessor.

Let's, start by exploring the differences between v1 and v2, both from a developer's and user's point of view:

Context	v1	v2
TypeScript	Partial support	TypeScript-first
Quick start	Codepen examples	DevKit, Codesandbox examples
Architecture	Event-based	Middleware-like signals
Tools	`rete-cli`	`rete-cli`, `rete-kit`, `rete-qa`
Testing	unit testing	unit + E2E testing
UI
Nodes order	fixed order	bring forward picked nodes
Selection	built-in for nodes only	advanced selection + custom elements
Controls	no built-in controls provided	built-in classic input control
Arrange nodes	limited	powered by `elkjs`
Code
Node creation	Component-based approach	up to you
Editor/Engine identifiers	mandatory, required for import/export	up to you
Node identifier	incremental decimal id	unique id
Import/export	Built-in, limited	up to you
Validation	Socket-based validation	up to you
Dataflow processing	limited (no recursion)	`DataflowEngine` with dynamic fetching
Control flow processing	simulated by Task plugin with limitations	`ControlFlowEngine`
Modules	`rete-module-plugin`	up to you
Connection plugin	responsible for both rendering and interaction	responsible for interaction only

Connecting plugins

Connect the plugin by importing it by default import.

The second parameter is used for passing the plugin's options/parameters:

// v1
import HistoryPlugin from 'rete-history-plugin';
editor.use(HistoryPlugin, { keyboard: true });

All plugins are implemented as classes and can be extended, providing flexible customization without modifying the core.

// v2
import { HistoryPlugin, HistoryExtensions, Presets } from 'rete-history-plugin'
const history = new HistoryPlugin<Schemes>()
history.addPreset(Presets.classic.setup())
HistoryExtensions.keyboard(history)
area.use(history)

Creating nodes

In the v1, nodes are generated via components that were registered within the editor, which enabled the creation of numerous instances of nodes belonging to the same Component type.

// v1
class NumComponent extends Rete.Component {
  constructor(){
    super("Number");
  }
  builder(node) {
    node.addControl(new NumControl('num'))
    node.addOutput(new Rete.Output('num', "Number", numSocket))
    return node
  }
}
const numComponent = new NumComponent()
editor.register(numComponent);
const node = await numComponent.createNode({ num: 2 });

The current version doesn't include Component as an abstraction, but you can implement similar approach if needed.

// v2
const node = new ClassicPreset.Node('Number')
node.addControl('num', new NumControl('num'))
node.addOutput('num', new ClassicPreset.Output(numSocket, "Number"));
await editor.addNode(node)

Saving data in a node

The data can be saved using method putData. It is expected that the data should be in a valid JSON format, as it may be used for import/export.

// v1
node.putData('myData', 'data')
control.putData('myData', 'data') // where control is part of node

There are no rigid import/export guidelines to follow in the current version, which means you have complete flexibility in how you store your data in nodes.

// v2
class MyNode extends ClassicPreset.Node {
  myData = 'data'
}

Import/export

Because of the limitations mentioned earlier, the editor can be effortlessly exported and imported.

// v1
const data = editor.toJSON();
await editor.fromJSON(data);

The current version incorporates a revised approach that requires implementation, as demonstrated in Import/export.

Selectable nodes

Selecting elements is a feature integrated within the editor

// v1
editor.selected.list
editor.selected.add(node, accumulate)

The downside to this implementation is its incapability to support anything other than node selection.

The selection of nodes (and other elements) looks like:

// v2
const selector = AreaExtensions.selector()
const accumulating = AreaExtensions.accumulateOnCtrl()
const nodeSelector = AreaExtensions.selectableNodes(area, selector, { accumulating });
editor.getNodes().filter(node => node.selected)
nodeSelector.select(add.id)

Events listening

The typical way to listen to events that can be prevented

// v1
editor.on('nodecreate', node => {
 return node.canCreate
});

* - unchanged
** - moved to different package
*** - removed

`rete` package events

nodecreate *
nodecreated *
noderemove *
noderemoved *
connectioncreate *
connectioncreated *
connectionremove *
connectionremoved *
translatenode ***
nodetranslate **
nodetranslated **
nodedraged ***
nodedragged **
selectnode ***
multiselectnode ***
nodeselect ***
nodeselected ***
rendernode ** (renamed to 'render')
rendersocket ** (renamed to 'render')
rendercontrol ** (renamed to 'render')
renderconnection ** (renamed to 'render')
updateconnection ***
keydown ***
keyup ***
translate **
translated **
zoom **
zoomed **
click ** (renamed to 'nodepicked')
mousemove *** (renamed to 'pointermove')
contextmenu **
import ***
export ***
process ***
clear **

`rete-connection-plugin` package events

connectionpath **
connectiondrop *
connectionpick *
resetconnection ***

The current version uses a specific kind of signal implementation that involves object-based signals. Additionally, pipes are used to either manipulate these objects or prevent signal propagation.

// v2
editor.addPipe(context => {
  if (context.type === 'nodecreate') return
  return context
})

`rete` package events

nodecreate
nodecreated
noderemove
noderemoved
connectioncreate
connectioncreated
connectionremove
connectionremoved
clear
clearcancelled
cleared

`rete-area-plugin` package events

nodepicked
nodedragged
nodetranslate
nodetranslated
contextmenu
pointerdown
pointermove
pointerup
noderesize
noderesized
render
unmount
reordered
translate
translated
zoom
zoomed
resized

`rete-connection-plugin` package events

connectionpick
connectiondrop

`rete-angular-plugin` package events

connectionpath

`rete-vue-plugin` package events

connectionpath

`rete-react-plugin` package events

connectionpath

Validate connections

There is a built-in connection validation based on socket compatibility

// v1
const anyTypeSocket = new Rete.Socket('Any type');
numSocket.combineWith(anyTypeSocket);

This approach is simple but has some limitations.

Connection validation can be implemented independently, that provides more flexibility.

// v2
editor.addPipe(context => {
  if (context.type === 'connectioncreate') {
    if (canCreateConnection(context.data)) return false
  }
  return context
})

Engine (dataflow)

The component with defined worker method should be registered

// v1
const engine = new Rete.Engine('demo@0.1.0');
engine.register(myComponent);

Define worker method of the component

// v1
worker(node, inputs, outputs){
  outputs['num'] = node.data.num;
}

Trigger the processing

// v1
await engine.process(data);

Create the DataflowEngine instance to connect to the editor. Unlike the first version, there is no need to pass data with nodes and connections.

// v2
import { DataflowEngine } from 'rete-engine'
const engine = new DataflowEngine<Schemes>()
editor.use(engine)

Node method example

// v2
data(inputs) {
  const { left, right } = inputs
  return { sum: left[0] + right[0] }
}

Start the processing

// v2
engine.fetch(node.id)

Task plugin (control flow)

This approach is implemented using the rete-task-plugin and based on the Rete.Engine. Therefore, it has the aforementioned limitations

// v1
import TaskPlugin from 'rete-task-plugin';
editor.use(TaskPlugin);

Component's constructor has specified outputs that are intended for control flow or dataflow

// v1
this.task = {
    outputs: { exec: 'option', data: 'output' },
    init(task) {
        task.run('any data');
        task.reset();
    }
}

Define the worker method, which returns data and specifies closed output ports for control flow

// v1
worker(node, inputs, data) {
    this.closed = ['exec'];
    return { data }
}

The rete-engine package is used, which has a separate implementation of the engine for control flow

// v2
import { ControlFlowEngine } from 'rete-engine'
const engine = new ControlFlowEngine<Schemes>()
editor.use(engine)

By default, all ports are configured to pass control, but you can designate certain ones for this

// v2
const engine = new ControlFlowEngine<Schemes>(() => {
  return {
    inputs: () => ["exec"],
    outputs: () => ["exec"]
  };
});

The following serves as the node method:

// v2
execute(input: 'exec', forward: (output: 'exec') => void) {
  forward('exec')
}

Unlike the previous version, this approach is completely decoupled from the dataflow. Nevertheless, it can be used in conjunction with DataflowEngine.

// v2
async execute(input: 'exec', forward: (output: 'exec') => void) {
  const inputs = await dataflow.fetchInputs(this.id)
  forward('exec')
}

Render plugins

As a demonstration, we have opted to use rete-react-render-plugin

// v1
import ReactRenderPlugin from 'rete-react-render-plugin';
editor.use(ReactRenderPlugin)

// v2
import { ReactPlugin } from 'rete-react-plugin'
const reactPlugin = new ReactPlugin<Schemes, AreaExtra>()
area.use(reactPlugin)

Custom nodes and controls

The following code is used to specify the components needed for specific nodes and controls

// v1
class AddComponent extends Rete.Component {
  constructor() {
    super("Add");
    this.data.component = MyNode;
  }
}
class MyControl extends Rete.Control {
  constructor(emitter, key, name) {
    super(key);
    this.render = 'react';
    this.component = MyReactControl;
    this.props = { emitter, name };
  }
}

Alternatively, component can be specified for all nodes

// v1
editor.use(ReactRenderPlugin, { component: MyNode });

In this version, the components to be visualized are defined in the classic preset that is connected

// v2
reactPlugin.addPreset(ReactPresets.classic.setup({ customize: {
  node(data) {
    return MyNode
  },
  control() {
    return MyReactControl
  }
}}))

This approach offers greater flexibility, enabling you to define additional conditions within the handlers

Translate nodes

Retrieve the view of the node and execute its translate method

// v1
editor.view.nodes.get(node).translate(x, y)

The plugin instance contains translate method that only needs the node identifier.

// v2
await area.translate(node.id, { x, y })

Arrange nodes

The plugin offers approach for positioning nodes, but its functionality is significantly restricted.

// v1
import AutoArrangePlugin from 'rete-auto-arrange-plugin';
editor.use(AutoArrangePlugin, {});
editor.trigger('arrange');

The plugin leverages the advanced functionality of the elkjs package.

// v2
import { AutoArrangePlugin, Presets as ArrangePresets } from "rete-auto-arrange-plugin";
const arrange = new AutoArrangePlugin<Schemes>();
arrange.addPreset(ArrangePresets.classic.setup());
area.use(arrange);
await arrange.layout()

Fit viewport

The zoomAt method requires an editor instance that is responsible for visualization

// v1
import AreaPlugin from "rete-area-plugin";
AreaPlugin.zoomAt(editor);

For visualization purposes in this version, an instance of AreaPlugin is required.

// v2
import { AreaExtensions } from "rete-area-plugin";
AreaExtensions.zoomAt(area, editor.getNodes());

Documentation

Migration