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Introduction to BoCoFlow

BoCoFlow is a powerful visual programming platform that lets you build computational workflows through an intuitive drag-and-drop interface. BoCoFlow makes it easy to design, execute, and share your workflows.

What is BoCoFlow?​

BoCoFlow combines the flexibility of visual programming with the power of Python. It allows you to:

  • Design workflows visually by connecting specialized nodes
  • Execute complex processes without writing extensive code
  • Save and share your workflows with colleagues
  • Extend functionality through custom nodes and environments

BoCoFlow Interface

Key Features​

Visual Workflow Editor​

The heart of BoCoFlow is its intuitive workflow editor. Drag nodes from the sidebar, drop them onto the canvas, and connect them to build computational pipelines. The editor makes it easy to visualize the flow of data and the relationships between different processing steps.

Node-Based Architecture​

Each node in BoCoFlow represents a specific operation or function. It is straightforward to create your own nodes based on your own Python code.

Node Wrapper

Execution Engine​

BoCoFlow's execution engine intelligently processes your workflow, tracking dependencies and automatically handling the flow of data between nodes. The platform supports:

  • Intelligent caching to avoid redundant calculations
  • Status tracking of node execution history
  • Real-time logging and execution monitoring
  • Selective execution to run only specific parts of your workflow

Flexibility and Extensibility​

BoCoFlow is designed to be flexible and extensible:

  • Custom node creation for various computational tasks based on your own Python code
  • Conda environment integration to manage dependencies
  • Docker container support for more complex environments
  • Remote execution capabilities for leveraging computational resources
  • Cross-platform compatibility on macOS and Linux (with Windows coming soon)

Who BoCoFlow Is For​

BoCoFlow is designed for:

  • Data Scientists looking to streamline analysis workflows
  • Researchers who build and share sophisticated computational workflows
  • Engineers building reusable computational pipelines
  • Teams collaborating on computational tasks
  • Educators teaching computational concepts visually

What's Next?​

Ready to dive in? Continue to the Getting Started guide to install BoCoFlow and create your first workflow!