How to Modularize and Reuse Function Node Code in Node-RED?

General
3

In the past I've used one of the following approaches:

1. Put the function into a subflow

Advantages:

  • proper error handling using the catch node
  • make use of node status
  • export/import subflows for reuse in other Node-RED instances

Disadvantage:

  • you might end up with many subflows cluttering the left palette bar

2. Use link-calls

Advantages:

  • better organization
    • put your shared functions on a separate flow tabs --> you can hide and/or lock flow tabs!
    • no cluttering of the palette bar

Disadvantage:

  • error handling is more complicated
    • errors can't be caught by targeting the link-call node because you can't pass them to the link result node
    • you'd have to handle errors manually on each call side by evaluation for an error property... too much boilerplate for me :see_no_evil:
  • no node status on the calling side

There was a discussing regarding the error handling with link-calls, but no conclusion has been reached: Capturing errors caused inside link-call flows - #5 by kuema

That's why I prefer the subflow solution, because I like clean error handling using "try-catch" :nerd_face:

1 Like