Welcome to Flows

Flows is at the core of MobiusFlow, it utilises Node-RED, a popular programming tool for wiring together hardware devices, APIs and online services in new and interesting ways. Used by engineers to visualise how a solution flows and create actions based on this flow.

Flows is a powerful, flow-based development tool that provides a visual way to wire together devices, APIs, and online services. It is built on a browser-based flow editor, making it highly accessible and easy to use for developers and non-developers alike. This guide will walk you through the basic concepts and functionalities of Flows.

The Basics of Flows

At its core, Flows allows users to create applications by connecting pre-built nodes. Each node performs a specific task, such as reading data from a sensor, processing data, or sending a notification. By connecting these nodes, you can create complex applications that can interact with the physical world, various APIs, or other services.

Nodes

Nodes are the building blocks of Flows. Each node represents a specific piece of functionality, such as a data input, a data output, or a data processing operation. There are many types of nodes available, including:

Input Nodes 

These nodes receive data from various sources, such as sensors, HTTP requests, or other external inputs.

Output Nodes 

These nodes send data to external systems, such as databases, APIs, or user interfaces.

Function Nodes 

These nodes process data, allowing you to write custom JavaScript functions to manipulate the data as needed.

Social Nodes 

These nodes interact with social media platforms or messaging services.

Creating Flows

To create a flow, you drag and drop nodes from the palette onto the workspace. You then connect these nodes together by drawing wires between them. This visual representation of your application logic makes it easy to understand and modify.

Start with an Input Node

Choose an input node that suits your needs. For example, if you want to read data from a sensor, you might use an MQTT node.

Add Processing Nodes

Use function nodes or other processing nodes to manipulate the data. You can write custom JavaScript code within function nodes to perform complex operations.

Connect to Output Nodes

Finally, add output nodes to send the processed data to its destination. This could be a database, a web service, or a user interface.

Deploying Flows

Once you have created your flow, you need to deploy it to make it active. Deployment uploads your flow to the runtime environment where it starts executing. MobiusFlow can run in various environments, including cloud servers, edge gateways, or your local machine.

Real-Time Updates

One of the powerful features of Flows is its ability to handle real-time data. Change-of-value event triggers ensure that any changes in data are immediately processed and propagated through the flow. This makes it ideal for applications that require immediate responses to data changes, such as home automation or real-time monitoring systems.

Extensibility

Flows is highly extensible, with a large library of additional nodes contributed by the community. You can easily install new nodes to add more functionality to your flows, such as connecting to new types of devices, integrating with different APIs, or adding new data processing capabilities.

Security

Security is a fundamental aspect of Flows. It supports various authentication mechanisms, such as OAuth and Single Sign-On (SSO), to ensure secure access. Additionally, interactions between nodes can be secured to protect sensitive data and maintain the integrity of the application.

Flows provides a flexible, visual way to create powerful applications by wiring together nodes. Its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, real-time data handling, and extensive library of nodes make it a versatile tool for both developers and non-developers. 

Whether you’re automating tasks, integrating different services, or developing complex data processing applications, Flows offers the tools you need to bring your ideas to life.