What the fuck even are loops in a node-graph based language.

[queenofsquiggles@transfem.social]

What the fuck even are loops in a node-graph based language. I might need to actually do research for this shitty toy language. What the hell?

[demofox@mastodon.gamedev.place]

@queenofsquiggles I think its unsolved!
In my platform Gigi, I have a subgraph node which lets people make "data defined nodes" or re usable sub graphs. The subgraph node also has an execution count on it, and lets the nodes inside it know the iteration index.
That's my approach, and it isnt the only way, but I dont think anyone has an answer that makes us all say "of course! That's how to do it!"

[demofox@mastodon.gamedev.place]

@queenofsquiggles I once made a node graph based audio synthesis setup and needed looping for "polyphony" to play multiple notes at once.
For that I had a begin loop and end loop node that turned 1 path in, into N paths inbetween begin and end.
It was fine for that usage case but I wouldnt rush back to do that again.

[aeva@mastodon.gamedev.place]

@queenofsquiggles i like the way blender geometry nodes handle loops, but it can get messy real fast.