output_view as output_table

To summarise, I need rich context-aware UI, e.g. adding new rows showing non-null counts, distinct values, etc. This can be achieved by custom HTML/JavaScript, however, this can only be presented to users as an

output_view

, but I need to save user’s input and make into the node’s table output. However, the KNIME’s node model is such that the

execute

method is completed before the

output_view

is rendered.

Is there a way to do this “cleanly”? Perhaps implementing it the

configure

with this

output_view

, call it

configure_view

There are several hacks to workaround the current limitation. One pattern that I’m using a lot is to have a button in the

output_view

to save the user input to an external sink. The sink location is defined in the

execute

method and returned as a single cell table output. This way the next node will know where to load the user input. It’s so hacky though.

I’m surprised that this has not been “officially” solved. Or am I mistaken?