Process Counter

The Process Counter node enables you to track how many times a flow execution passes through a specific point. This node maintains a counter that can increment or decrement with each pass, providing essential data for implementing loops, conditional logic, iteration controls, and process monitoring within your flows.

Choose how the counter behaves when the flow passes through the node:

Count up: Increments the counter by 1 each time the flow passes through the node

Count down: Decrements the counter by 1 each time the flow passes through the node

Selection Method: Use the dropdown to switch between counting modes

Default Setting: Counter starts in "Count up" mode

Current Count: Displays the current counter value in the numeric field

Initial Value: Shows 0 when the counter is first created

Real-time Updates: Value updates automatically as the flow passes through the node

Manual Reset: Counter value can be manually adjusted if needed

Increment Logic: Adds 1 to the counter each time the flow execution reaches this node

Starting Point: Typically begins at 0 and increases with each pass

Use Cases: Track total executions, implement iteration counting, monitor process frequency

Output Value: Provides current count for use in conditional logic or data collection

Decrement Logic: Subtracts 1 from the counter each time the flow execution reaches this node

Starting Point: Usually set to a specific target value and decreases toward zero

Use Cases: Implement countdown timers, track remaining iterations, create exit conditions

Zero Handling: Counter can go negative or be used with conditional logic to stop at zero

Current Value: Outputs the current counter value for use by other nodes

Data Type: Provides numeric value that can be used in comparisons and calculations

Connection Point: Counter value can feed into conditional nodes, data processors, or logging systems

Real-time Access: Connected nodes receive updated counter values on each execution

Initial Values: Set appropriate starting values based on your counting needs

Reset Strategy: Plan when and how counters should be reset for different use cases

Overflow Handling: Consider behavior when counters reach very large positive or negative values

Documentation: Document the purpose and expected range of each counter

Conditional Logic: Use counter values with conditional nodes to control flow behavior

Loop Implementation: Combine with flow redirection to create iteration loops

Process Monitoring: Track execution frequency for performance analysis and debugging

Exit Conditions: Use countdown mode to implement automatic stopping conditions

Counter Persistence: Understand that counters maintain state across flow executions

Memory Usage: Monitor counter values in long-running or frequently executed flows

Reset Frequency: Plan appropriate counter reset intervals to prevent unbounded growth

Concurrent Access: Consider behavior when multiple flow instances access the same counter

Iteration Loops: Use counters to track loop iterations and implement exit conditions

Batch Processing: Count processed items to implement batch size controls

Rate Limiting: Monitor execution frequency to implement rate limiting logic

Quality Gates: Use counters to track error rates or success metrics

Threshold Comparisons: Compare counter values against thresholds for decision making

Modulo Operations: Use counter values with modulo arithmetic for periodic actions

Range Checking: Implement logic based on counter value ranges

State Transitions: Use counter milestones to trigger state changes

Loop Control: Track iterations in processing loops with automatic exit conditions

Batch Processing: Count processed records to implement batch size limits

Retry Logic: Count retry attempts with maximum retry limits

Performance Monitoring: Track execution frequency and processing volumes

Quality Control: Monitor error rates and success metrics over time

Periodic Actions: Trigger actions every N executions using counter modulo operations

Execution Tracking: Use counters to verify expected flow execution patterns

Performance Analysis: Monitor counter patterns to identify bottlenecks or issues

Audit Trails: Track process execution frequency for compliance and analysis

Debugging Aid: Use counter values to understand flow behavior during troubleshooting

The Process Counter provides essential counting and tracking capabilities, enabling sophisticated flow control patterns, iteration management, and process monitoring for robust automation workflows.