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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 is a comprehensive platform that combines visual workflow design with powerful computational capabilities. Built on a modular architecture, it allows you to:

  • Design workflows visually using an intuitive drag-and-drop interface
  • Execute complex computational pipelines with automatic dependency management
  • Create custom nodes from your Python code with minimal boilerplate
  • Manage environments with integrated UV package manager for isolated dependencies
  • Share and collaborate on workflows across teams and platforms

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 with extensibility at its core:

  • Custom node creation - Transform any Python function into a visual node
  • Environment management - Automatic dependency isolation and resolution
  • Multiple Python environments - Different nodes can use different Python versions
  • Docker container support - Run nodes in containerized environments
  • Remote execution - Distribute computations across multiple machines
  • Cross-platform compatibility - Native support for macOS, Linux, and Windows

Who BoCoFlow Is For​

BoCoFlow serves diverse computational needs:

  • Computational Scientists - Build complex molecular dynamics and simulation workflows
  • Data Scientists - Create reproducible data analysis pipelines
  • Researchers - Design and share sophisticated experimental workflows
  • Bioinformaticians - Develop genomics and proteomics analysis pipelines
  • Engineers - Automate computational engineering workflows
  • Teams - Collaborate on standardized computational procedures
  • Educators - Teach computational concepts through visual programming

What's Next?​

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