Automatically generate default scripts (templates) from connected inputs

[stelfrich]

This might be hard to achieve / to find a sensible default case: for a beginner it would be useful to have a template with input @Paramters according to the inputs connected to the node.

For tables with a few columns it might be sensible to add those as inputs and have the user remove them instead of having him/her add them one after the other.

[imagejan]

How about something similar to the Java and R Snippet nodes, where you have a sidebar with all available columns and flow variables, and the necessary variables/parameters are added to the script automatically upon double-clicking any of them?

[stelfrich]

@imagejan That's how it is implemented at the moment which works really nice.

It was just a thought experiment to maybe add the already connected inputs and outputs to the default templates when opening the node's configuration dialog.

[imagejan]

@stelfrich oh, I see, sorry. Then I'll shut up ;)

[gab1one]

I agree that the templates need improvement.

I don't think it would be feasible though to add all inputs and outputs, this.
This can quickly lead to overloaded scripts, I would rather have only the
inputs declared which are used in the script. Otherwise we waste resources by
converting unused inputs, which can be costly (imagine a table with several
columns filled with large images).

[dietzc]

I don't think it would be feasible though to add all inputs and outputs, this.
This can quickly lead to overloaded scripts, I would rather have only the
inputs declared which are used in the script. Otherwise we waste resources by
converting unused inputs, which can be costly (imagine a table with several
columns filled with large images).

I agree. I think we could do some auto-guessing, like adding the first image column or so, but I'd not try to be too smart here. Rather I'd provide nice examples on the website (or a video) explaining the concept. Adding inputs as default only helps new users.

[stelfrich]

I vote +1 for adding the first image column as parameter, @dietzc.

Adding inputs as default only helps new users.

Exactly, that's why I think it is a good idea to add a parameter (in a future release) as an example. It might lower the frustration for new users on their first try, maybe making them stick with scripting.