Hex projects are revolutionizing the way data professionals work by introducing a fully reactive, DAG-based recompute model. This innovative feature, known as Hex Auto Run, dramatically improves project efficiency by only re-executing cells when necessary based on upstream changes. This smart approach ensures that your data workflows are always up-to-date without unnecessary processing overhead.
Activating Hex Auto Run is straightforward: simply set your Run Mode to Auto. Once enabled, Hex intelligently analyzes your code and automatically re-runs dependent cells whenever you modify a parameter or a cell. For users who prefer a more granular control, switching back to Cell Only mode for one-cell-at-a-time execution is easily done via the top bar.
The implementation of Auto Run represents a significant leap forward in terms of project reproducibility, clarity, and overall performance. These enhancements are noticeable in both Notebook and App views, making hex auto a core feature for optimized data workflows.
Visualize Project Dependencies with the Graph
To gain a deeper understanding of your project’s structure, Hex introduces the Graph feature. Located in the upper right corner, the Graph button opens an interactive Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) visualization of your project. This powerful tool automatically maps all cells with variable relationships, clearly displaying their dependencies.
The Graph visualization allows users to quickly grasp the complexity of even intricate projects. By visually exploring the flow of data and variables, understanding project logic becomes intuitive and far more accessible than traditional notebook views. Customization options for the visualization are available via the 👁️ icon in the upper right, allowing users to tailor the view to their needs.
Enhanced User Interface and Variable Handling
Complementing the intelligent Auto Run feature, Hex has refined the user interface to streamline variable handling. Input parameters now seamlessly return plain variable names, such as input_1, eliminating the need for the $ prefix.
The updated Notebook view UI provides clear visibility into the variables returned by each cell, enhancing project clarity and ease of use. Furthermore, hovering over any returned variable now reveals valuable metadata, including where the variable is referenced within the project. This feature works in perfect synergy with the Graph, providing a holistic view of data dependencies and project structure.
In conclusion, Hex Auto Run and the accompanying enhancements to visualization and UI represent a major advancement for data project workflows. By introducing reactive computations and intuitive tools for understanding project dependencies, Hex empowers users to work more efficiently and gain deeper insights from their data.
