Differencing of executable dataflow graphs

A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions for causing a computer to display differences between a first executable dataflow graph and a second executable dataflow graph, each dataflow graph executable to process data records received by the dataflow graph, each dataflow graph including one or more nodes representing data processing components and one or more links representing flows of data records between components, the instructions causing the computer to:

• compare at least a portion of a specification of the first executable dataflow graph and at least a portion of a specification of the second executable dataflow graph to identify one or more differences between the at least a portion of the first dataflow graph and the at least a portion of the second dataflow graph,
• wherein the specification of a given executable dataflow graph defines one or more nodes each representing a data processing component configurable to define an operation to be performed to process data records, wherein the dataflow graph is configured to, when executed, (1) receive and process data records from a data source and (2) provide processed data records to a data sink;
• the comparing of at least a portion of the specification of the first dataflow graph and the at least a portion of the specification of second dataflow graph including at least one of:
• (1) identifying a particular node of the first dataflow graph that does not correspond to any node defined by the specification of the at least a portion of the second dataflow graph, the identified particular node representing a data processing component configurable to define an operation to be performed to process data records,
• (2) identifying a particular link of the first dataflow graph that does not correspond to any link defined by the specification of the at least a portion of the second dataflow graph, the identified particular link representing a flow of data records between components represented by nodes of the first dataflow graph,
• (3) identifying a first node of the first dataflow graph that corresponds to a second node defined by the specification of the at least a portion of the second dataflow graph, the identified first node representing a data processing component configurable to define an operation to be performed to process data records, and identifying a difference between the first node and the second node,
• (4) identifying a first link of the first dataflow graph that corresponds to a second link defined by the specification of the at least a portion of the second dataflow graph, the identified first link representing a flow of data records between components represented by nodes of the first dataflow graph, and identifying a difference between the first link and the second link;
• and
• display, in a graph editing interface, a graphical representation of at least some of the nodes or links of the first dataflow graph or the second dataflow graph, the graphical representation including a graphical indicator of at least one of (1) the identified particular node or link (1) the identified difference between the first node or link and the second node or link.

A system for displaying differences between a first executable dataflow graph and a second executable dataflow graph, each dataflow graph executable to process data records received by the dataflow graph, each dataflow graph including one or more nodes representing data processing components and one or more links representing flows of data records between components, the system including:

• one or more processors and memory configured to:
• compare at least a portion of a specification of the first executable dataflow graph and at least a portion of a specification of the second executable dataflow graph to identify one or more differences between the at least a portion of the first dataflow graph and the at least a portion of the second dataflow graph,
• wherein the specification of a given executable dataflow graph defines one or more nodes each representing a data processing component configurable to define an operation to be performed to process data records, wherein the dataflow graph is configured to, when executed, (1) receive and process data records from a data source and (2) provide processed data records to a data sink;
• the comparing of at least a portion of the specification of the first dataflow graph and the at least a portion of the specification of second dataflow graph including at least one of:
• (1) identifying a particular node of the first dataflow graph that does not correspond to any node defined by the specification of the at least a portion of the second dataflow graph, the identified particular node representing a data processing component configurable to define an operation to be performed to process data records,
• (2) identifying a particular link of the first dataflow graph that does not correspond to any link defined by the specification of the at least a portion of the second dataflow graph, the identified particular link representing a flow of data records between components represented by nodes of the first dataflow graph,
• (3) identifying a first node of the first dataflow graph that corresponds to a second node defined by the specification of the at least a portion of the second dataflow graph, the identified first node representing a data processing component configurable to define an operation to be performed to process data records, and identifying a difference between the first node and the second node,
• (4) identifying a first link of the first dataflow graph that corresponds to a second link defined by the specification of the at least a portion of the second dataflow graph, the identified first link representing a flow of data records between components represented by nodes of the first dataflow graph, and identifying a difference between the first link and the second link;
• and
• display, in a graph editing interface, a graphical representation of at least some of the nodes or links of the first dataflow graph or the second dataflow graph, the graphical representation including a graphical indicator of at least one of (1) the identified particular node or link (1) the identified difference between the first node or link and the second node or link.