fix(core): Make node execution order configurable, and backward-compatible (#6507)

* fix(core): Make node execution order configurable, and backward-compatible

* ⚡ Also add new Merge-Node behaviour

* ⚡ Fix typo

* Fix lint issue

* update labels

* rename legacy to v0

* remove the unnecessary log

* default all new workflows to use v1 execution-order

* remove the controller changes

* clone default settings to avoid it getting modified

---------

Co-authored-by: Jan Oberhauser <jan.oberhauser@gmail.com>

packages/cli/src/commands/start.ts

@@ -338,12 +338,6 @@ export class Start extends BaseCommand {
 		const editorUrl = GenericHelpers.getBaseUrl();
 		this.log(`\nEditor is now accessible via:\n${editorUrl}`);
 
-		const saveManualExecutions = config.getEnv('executions.saveDataManualExecutions');
-
-		if (saveManualExecutions) {
-			this.log('\nManual executions will be visible only for the owner');
-		}
-
 		// Allow to open n8n editor by pressing "o"
 		if (Boolean(process.stdout.isTTY) && process.stdin.setRawMode) {
 			process.stdin.setRawMode(true);

packages/core/src/WorkflowExecute.ts

@@ -143,24 +143,8 @@ export class WorkflowExecute {
 		return this.processRunExecutionData(workflow);
 	}
 
-	forceInputNodeExecution(workflow: Workflow, node: INode): boolean {
-		const nodeType = workflow.nodeTypes.getByNameAndVersion(node.type, node.typeVersion);
-
-		// Check if the incoming nodes should be forced to execute
-		let forceInputNodeExecution = nodeType.description.forceInputNodeExecution;
-		if (forceInputNodeExecution !== undefined) {
-			if (typeof forceInputNodeExecution === 'string') {
-				forceInputNodeExecution = !!workflow.expression.getSimpleParameterValue(
-					node,
-					forceInputNodeExecution,
-					this.mode,
-					this.additionalData.timezone,
-					{ $version: node.typeVersion },
-				);
-			}
-			return forceInputNodeExecution;
-		}
-		return false;
+	forceInputNodeExecution(workflow: Workflow): boolean {
+		return workflow.settings.executionOrder !== 'v1';
 	}
 
 	/**
@@ -379,6 +363,7 @@ export class WorkflowExecute {
 		runIndex: number,
 	): void {
 		let stillDataMissing = false;
+		const enqueueFn = workflow.settings.executionOrder === 'v1' ? 'unshift' : 'push';
 		let waitingNodeIndex: number | undefined;
 
 		// Check if node has multiple inputs as then we have to wait for all input data
@@ -510,7 +495,7 @@ export class WorkflowExecute {
 						];
 				}
 
-				this.runExecutionData.executionData!.nodeExecutionStack.unshift(executionStackItem);
+				this.runExecutionData.executionData!.nodeExecutionStack[enqueueFn](executionStackItem);
 
 				// Remove the data from waiting
 				delete this.runExecutionData.executionData!.waitingExecution[connectionData.node][
@@ -554,8 +539,7 @@ export class WorkflowExecute {
 				// are already on the list to be processed.
 				// If that is not the case add it.
 
-				const node = workflow.getNode(connectionData.node);
-				const forceInputNodeExecution = this.forceInputNodeExecution(workflow, node!);
+				const forceInputNodeExecution = this.forceInputNodeExecution(workflow);
 
 				for (
 					let inputIndex = 0;
@@ -680,7 +664,7 @@ export class WorkflowExecute {
 						if (addEmptyItem) {
 							// Add only node if it does not have any inputs because else it will
 							// be added by its input node later anyway.
-							this.runExecutionData.executionData!.nodeExecutionStack.unshift({
+							this.runExecutionData.executionData!.nodeExecutionStack[enqueueFn]({
 								node: workflow.getNode(nodeToAdd) as INode,
 								data: {
 									main: [
@@ -744,7 +728,7 @@ export class WorkflowExecute {
 			};
 		} else {
 			// All data is there so add it directly to stack
-			this.runExecutionData.executionData!.nodeExecutionStack.unshift({
+			this.runExecutionData.executionData!.nodeExecutionStack[enqueueFn]({
 				node: workflow.nodes[connectionData.node],
 				data: {
 					main: connectionDataArray,
@@ -774,6 +758,7 @@ export class WorkflowExecute {
 		Logger.verbose('Workflow execution started', { workflowId: workflow.id });
 
 		const startedAt = new Date();
+		const forceInputNodeExecution = this.forceInputNodeExecution(workflow);
 
 		this.status = 'running';
 
@@ -937,8 +922,6 @@ export class WorkflowExecute {
 						continue;
 					}
 
-					const node = workflow.getNode(executionNode.name);
-
 					// Check if all the data which is needed to run the node is available
 					if (workflow.connectionsByDestinationNode.hasOwnProperty(executionNode.name)) {
 						// Check if the node has incoming connections
@@ -971,7 +954,7 @@ export class WorkflowExecute {
 									continue executionLoop;
 								}
 
-								if (this.forceInputNodeExecution(workflow, node!)) {
+								if (forceInputNodeExecution) {
 									// Check if it has the data for all the inputs
 									// The most nodes just have one but merge node for example has two and data
 									// of both inputs has to be available to be able to process the node.
@@ -1295,53 +1278,60 @@ export class WorkflowExecute {
 										);
 									}
 
-									const connectionDestinationNode = workflow.getNode(connectionData.node);
-									const forceInputNodeExecution = this.forceInputNodeExecution(
-										workflow,
-										connectionDestinationNode!,
-									);
-
 									if (
 										nodeSuccessData![outputIndex] &&
 										(nodeSuccessData![outputIndex].length !== 0 ||
 											(connectionData.index > 0 && forceInputNodeExecution))
 									) {
 										// Add the node only if it did execute or if connected to second "optional" input
-										const nodeToAdd = workflow.getNode(connectionData.node);
-										nodesToAdd.push({
-											position: nodeToAdd?.position || [0, 0],
-											connection: connectionData,
-											outputIndex: parseInt(outputIndex, 10),
-										});
+										if (workflow.settings.executionOrder === 'v1') {
+											const nodeToAdd = workflow.getNode(connectionData.node);
+											nodesToAdd.push({
+												position: nodeToAdd?.position || [0, 0],
+												connection: connectionData,
+												outputIndex: parseInt(outputIndex, 10),
+											});
+										} else {
+											this.addNodeToBeExecuted(
+												workflow,
+												connectionData,
+												parseInt(outputIndex, 10),
+												executionNode.name,
+												nodeSuccessData!,
+												runIndex,
+											);
+										}
 									}
 								}
 							}
 
-							// Always execute the node that is more to the top-left first
-							nodesToAdd.sort((a, b) => {
-								if (a.position[1] < b.position[1]) {
-									return 1;
-								}
-								if (a.position[1] > b.position[1]) {
-									return -1;
-								}
+							if (workflow.settings.executionOrder === 'v1') {
+								// Always execute the node that is more to the top-left first
+								nodesToAdd.sort((a, b) => {
+									if (a.position[1] < b.position[1]) {
+										return 1;
+									}
+									if (a.position[1] > b.position[1]) {
+										return -1;
+									}
 
-								if (a.position[0] > b.position[0]) {
-									return -1;
+									if (a.position[0] > b.position[0]) {
+										return -1;
+									}
+
+									return 0;
+								});
+
+								for (const nodeData of nodesToAdd) {
+									this.addNodeToBeExecuted(
+										workflow,
+										nodeData.connection,
+										nodeData.outputIndex,
+										executionNode.name,
+										nodeSuccessData!,
+										runIndex,
+									);
 								}
-
-								return 0;
-							});
-
-							for (const nodeData of nodesToAdd) {
-								this.addNodeToBeExecuted(
-									workflow,
-									nodeData.connection,
-									nodeData.outputIndex,
-									executionNode.name,
-									nodeSuccessData!,
-									runIndex,
-								);
 							}
 						}
 					}
@@ -1382,7 +1372,10 @@ export class WorkflowExecute {
 							);
 
 							// Check if the node is only allowed execute if all inputs received data
-							let requiredInputs = nodeType.description.requiredInputs;
+							let requiredInputs =
+								workflow.settings.executionOrder === 'v1'
+									? nodeType.description.requiredInputs
+									: undefined;
 							if (requiredInputs !== undefined) {
 								if (typeof requiredInputs === 'string') {
 									requiredInputs = workflow.expression.getSimpleParameterValue(

packages/core/test/WorkflowExecute.test.ts

@@ -4,15 +4,15 @@ import { WorkflowExecute } from '@/WorkflowExecute';
 
 import * as Helpers from './helpers';
 import { initLogger } from './helpers/utils';
-import { predefinedWorkflowExecuteTests } from './helpers/constants';
+import { legacyWorkflowExecuteTests, v1WorkflowExecuteTests } from './helpers/constants';
 
 describe('WorkflowExecute', () => {
 	beforeAll(() => {
 		initLogger();
 	});
 
-	describe('run', () => {
-		const tests: WorkflowTestData[] = predefinedWorkflowExecuteTests;
+	describe('v0 execution order', () => {
+		const tests: WorkflowTestData[] = legacyWorkflowExecuteTests;
 
 		const executionMode = 'manual';
 		const nodeTypes = Helpers.NodeTypes();
@@ -25,6 +25,9 @@ describe('WorkflowExecute', () => {
 					connections: testData.input.workflowData.connections,
 					active: false,
 					nodeTypes,
+					settings: {
+						executionOrder: 'v0',
+					},
 				});
 
 				const waitPromise = await createDeferredPromise<IRun>();
@@ -71,6 +74,70 @@ describe('WorkflowExecute', () => {
 		}
 	});
 
+	describe('v1 execution order', () => {
+		const tests: WorkflowTestData[] = v1WorkflowExecuteTests;
+
+		const executionMode = 'manual';
+		const nodeTypes = Helpers.NodeTypes();
+
+		for (const testData of tests) {
+			test(testData.description, async () => {
+				const workflowInstance = new Workflow({
+					id: 'test',
+					nodes: testData.input.workflowData.nodes,
+					connections: testData.input.workflowData.connections,
+					active: false,
+					nodeTypes,
+					settings: {
+						executionOrder: 'v1',
+					},
+				});
+
+				const waitPromise = await createDeferredPromise<IRun>();
+				const nodeExecutionOrder: string[] = [];
+				const additionalData = Helpers.WorkflowExecuteAdditionalData(
+					waitPromise,
+					nodeExecutionOrder,
+				);
+
+				const workflowExecute = new WorkflowExecute(additionalData, executionMode);
+
+				const executionData = await workflowExecute.run(workflowInstance);
+
+				const result = await waitPromise.promise();
+
+				// Check if the data from WorkflowExecute is identical to data received
+				// by the webhooks
+				expect(executionData).toEqual(result);
+
+				// Check if the output data of the nodes is correct
+				for (const nodeName of Object.keys(testData.output.nodeData)) {
+					if (result.data.resultData.runData[nodeName] === undefined) {
+						throw new Error(`Data for node "${nodeName}" is missing!`);
+					}
+
+					const resultData = result.data.resultData.runData[nodeName].map((nodeData) => {
+						if (nodeData.data === undefined) {
+							return null;
+						}
+						return nodeData.data.main[0]!.map((entry) => entry.json);
+					});
+
+					// expect(resultData).toEqual(testData.output.nodeData[nodeName]);
+					expect(resultData).toEqual(testData.output.nodeData[nodeName]);
+				}
+
+				// Check if the nodes did execute in the correct order
+				expect(nodeExecutionOrder).toEqual(testData.output.nodeExecutionOrder);
+
+				// Check if other data has correct value
+				expect(result.finished).toEqual(true);
+				expect(result.data.executionData!.contextData).toEqual({});
+				expect(result.data.executionData!.nodeExecutionStack).toEqual([]);
+			});
+		}
+	});
+
 	//run tests on json files from specified directory, default 'workflows'
 	//workflows must have pinned data that would be used to test output after execution
 	describe('run test workflows', () => {
@@ -87,6 +154,7 @@ describe('WorkflowExecute', () => {
 					connections: testData.input.workflowData.connections,
 					active: false,
 					nodeTypes,
+					settings: testData.input.workflowData.settings,
 				});
 
 				const waitPromise = await createDeferredPromise<IRun>();

packages/editor-ui/src/Interface.ts

@@ -702,6 +702,7 @@ export interface IWorkflowSettings extends IWorkflowSettingsWorkflow {
 	maxExecutionTimeout?: number;
 	callerIds?: string;
 	callerPolicy?: WorkflowSettings.CallerPolicy;
+	executionOrder: NonNullable<IWorkflowSettingsWorkflow['executionOrder']>;
 }
 
 export interface ITimeoutHMS {

packages/editor-ui/src/api/workflows.ts

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ export async function getNewWorkflow(context: IRestApiContext, name?: string) {
 	return {
 		name: response.name,
 		onboardingFlowEnabled: response.onboardingFlowEnabled === true,
+		settings: response.defaultSettings,
 	};
 }
 

packages/editor-ui/src/components/WorkflowSettings.vue

@@ -13,6 +13,31 @@
 	>
 		<template #content>
 			<div v-loading="isLoading" class="workflow-settings" data-test-id="workflow-settings-dialog">
+				<el-row>
+					<el-col :span="10" class="setting-name">
+						{{ $locale.baseText('workflowSettings.executionOrder') + ':' }}
+					</el-col>
+					<el-col :span="14" class="ignore-key-press">
+						<n8n-select
+							v-model="workflowSettings.executionOrder"
+							placeholder="Select Execution Order"
+							size="medium"
+							filterable
+							:disabled="readOnlyEnv"
+							:limit-popper-width="true"
+							data-test-id="workflow-settings-execution-order"
+						>
+							<n8n-option
+								v-for="option in executionOrderOptions"
+								:key="option.key"
+								:label="option.value"
+								:value="option.key"
+							>
+							</n8n-option>
+						</n8n-select>
+					</el-col>
+				</el-row>
+
 				<el-row>
 					<el-col :span="10" class="setting-name">
 						{{ $locale.baseText('workflowSettings.errorWorkflow') + ':' }}
@@ -421,9 +446,14 @@ export default defineComponent({
 			saveDataSuccessExecutionOptions: [] as Array<{ key: string; value: string }>,
 			saveExecutionProgressOptions: [] as Array<{ key: string | boolean; value: string }>,
 			saveManualOptions: [] as Array<{ key: string | boolean; value: string }>,
+			executionOrderOptions: [
+				{ key: 'v0', value: 'v0 (legacy)' },
+				{ key: 'v1', value: 'v1 (recommended)' },
+			] as Array<{ key: string; value: string }>,
 			timezones: [] as Array<{ key: string; value: string }>,
 			workflowSettings: {} as IWorkflowSettings,
 			workflows: [] as IWorkflowShortResponse[],
+			executionOrder: 'v0',
 			executionTimeout: 0,
 			maxExecutionTimeout: 0,
 			timeoutHMS: { hours: 0, minutes: 0, seconds: 0 } as ITimeoutHMS,
@@ -535,6 +565,9 @@ export default defineComponent({
 		if (workflowSettings.maxExecutionTimeout === undefined) {
 			workflowSettings.maxExecutionTimeout = this.rootStore.maxExecutionTimeout;
 		}
+		if (workflowSettings.executionOrder === undefined) {
+			workflowSettings.executionOrder = 'v0';
+		}
 
 		this.workflowSettings = workflowSettings;
 		this.timeoutHMS = this.convertToHMS(workflowSettings.executionTimeout);

packages/editor-ui/src/plugins/i18n/locales/en.json

@@ -1595,6 +1595,7 @@
 	"workflowSettings.defaultTimezone": "Default - {defaultTimezoneValue}",
 	"workflowSettings.defaultTimezoneNotValid": "Default Timezone not valid",
 	"workflowSettings.errorWorkflow": "Error Workflow",
+	"workflowSettings.executionOrder": "Execution Order",
 	"workflowSettings.helpTexts.errorWorkflow": "A second workflow to run if the current one fails.<br />The second workflow should an 'Error Trigger' node.",
 	"workflowSettings.helpTexts.executionTimeout": "How long the workflow should wait before timing out",
 	"workflowSettings.helpTexts.executionTimeoutToggle": "Whether to cancel workflow execution after a defined time",

packages/editor-ui/src/stores/workflows.store.ts

@@ -82,24 +82,29 @@ import {
 } from '@/utils';
 import { useNDVStore } from './ndv.store';
 import { useNodeTypesStore } from './nodeTypes.store';
-import { useWorkflowsEEStore } from '@/stores/workflows.ee.store';
 import { useUsersStore } from '@/stores/users.store';
 import { useSettingsStore } from '@/stores/settings.store';
 import type { NodeMetadataMap } from '@/Interface';
 
-const createEmptyWorkflow = (): IWorkflowDb => ({
-	id: PLACEHOLDER_EMPTY_WORKFLOW_ID,
+const defaults: Omit<IWorkflowDb, 'id'> & { settings: NonNullable<IWorkflowDb['settings']> } = {
 	name: '',
 	active: false,
 	createdAt: -1,
 	updatedAt: -1,
 	connections: {},
 	nodes: [],
-	settings: {},
+	settings: {
+		executionOrder: 'v1',
+	},
 	tags: [],
 	pinData: {},
 	versionId: '',
 	usedCredentials: [],
+};
+
+const createEmptyWorkflow = (): IWorkflowDb => ({
+	id: PLACEHOLDER_EMPTY_WORKFLOW_ID,
+	...defaults,
 });
 
 let cachedWorkflowKey: string | null = '';
@@ -135,10 +140,7 @@ export const useWorkflowsStore = defineStore(STORES.WORKFLOWS, {
 			return this.workflow.versionId;
 		},
 		workflowSettings(): IWorkflowSettings {
-			if (this.workflow.settings === undefined) {
-				return {};
-			}
-			return this.workflow.settings;
+			return this.workflow.settings ?? { ...defaults.settings };
 		},
 		workflowTags(): string[] {
 			return this.workflow.tags as string[];
@@ -318,7 +320,7 @@ export const useWorkflowsStore = defineStore(STORES.WORKFLOWS, {
 		// This has the advantage that it is very fast and does not cause problems with vuex
 		// when the workflow replaces the node-parameters.
 		getNodes(): INodeUi[] {
-			const nodes = useWorkflowsStore().allNodes;
+			const nodes = this.allNodes;
 			const returnNodes: INodeUi[] = [];
 
 			for (const node of nodes) {
@@ -331,23 +333,21 @@ export const useWorkflowsStore = defineStore(STORES.WORKFLOWS, {
 		// Returns a workflow instance.
 		getWorkflow(nodes: INodeUi[], connections: IConnections, copyData?: boolean): Workflow {
 			const nodeTypes = this.getNodeTypes();
-			let workflowId: string | undefined = useWorkflowsStore().workflowId;
+			let workflowId: string | undefined = this.workflowId;
 			if (workflowId && workflowId === PLACEHOLDER_EMPTY_WORKFLOW_ID) {
 				workflowId = undefined;
 			}
 
-			const workflowName = useWorkflowsStore().workflowName;
-
 			cachedWorkflow = new Workflow({
 				id: workflowId,
-				name: workflowName,
+				name: this.workflowName,
 				nodes: copyData ? deepCopy(nodes) : nodes,
 				connections: copyData ? deepCopy(connections) : connections,
 				active: false,
 				nodeTypes,
-				settings: useWorkflowsStore().workflowSettings,
+				settings: this.workflowSettings,
 				// @ts-ignore
-				pinData: useWorkflowsStore().getPinData,
+				pinData: this.getPinData,
 			});
 
 			return cachedWorkflow;
@@ -393,11 +393,10 @@ export const useWorkflowsStore = defineStore(STORES.WORKFLOWS, {
 		},
 
 		async getNewWorkflowData(name?: string): Promise<INewWorkflowData> {
-			const workflowsEEStore = useWorkflowsEEStore();
-
 			let workflowData = {
 				name: '',
 				onboardingFlowEnabled: false,
+				settings: { ...defaults.settings },
 			};
 			try {
 				const rootStore = useRootStore();
@@ -426,6 +425,25 @@ export const useWorkflowsStore = defineStore(STORES.WORKFLOWS, {
 			}
 		},
 
+		resetState(): void {
+			this.removeAllConnections({ setStateDirty: false });
+			this.removeAllNodes({ setStateDirty: false, removePinData: true });
+
+			// Reset workflow execution data
+			this.setWorkflowExecutionData(null);
+			this.resetAllNodesIssues();
+
+			this.setActive(defaults.active);
+			this.setWorkflowId(PLACEHOLDER_EMPTY_WORKFLOW_ID);
+			this.setWorkflowName({ newName: '', setStateDirty: false });
+			this.setWorkflowSettings({ ...defaults.settings });
+			this.setWorkflowTagIds([]);
+
+			this.activeExecutionId = null;
+			this.executingNode = null;
+			this.executionWaitingForWebhook = false;
+		},
+
 		setWorkflowId(id: string): void {
 			this.workflow.id = id === 'new' ? PLACEHOLDER_EMPTY_WORKFLOW_ID : id;
 		},
@@ -632,7 +650,9 @@ export const useWorkflowsStore = defineStore(STORES.WORKFLOWS, {
 				...(!this.workflow.hasOwnProperty('updatedAt') ? { updatedAt: -1 } : {}),
 				...(!this.workflow.hasOwnProperty('id') ? { id: PLACEHOLDER_EMPTY_WORKFLOW_ID } : {}),
 				...(!this.workflow.hasOwnProperty('nodes') ? { nodes: [] } : {}),
-				...(!this.workflow.hasOwnProperty('settings') ? { settings: {} } : {}),
+				...(!this.workflow.hasOwnProperty('settings')
+					? { settings: { ...defaults.settings } }
+					: {}),
 			};
 		},
 

packages/editor-ui/src/views/NodeView.vue

@@ -3523,22 +3523,7 @@ export default defineComponent({
 						// Ignore all errors
 					});
 			}
-			this.workflowsStore.removeAllConnections({ setStateDirty: false });
-			this.workflowsStore.removeAllNodes({ setStateDirty: false, removePinData: true });
-
-			// Reset workflow execution data
-			this.workflowsStore.setWorkflowExecutionData(null);
-			this.workflowsStore.resetAllNodesIssues();
-
-			this.workflowsStore.setActive(false);
-			this.workflowsStore.setWorkflowId(PLACEHOLDER_EMPTY_WORKFLOW_ID);
-			this.workflowsStore.setWorkflowName({ newName: '', setStateDirty: false });
-			this.workflowsStore.setWorkflowSettings({});
-			this.workflowsStore.setWorkflowTagIds([]);
-
-			this.workflowsStore.activeExecutionId = null;
-			this.workflowsStore.executingNode = null;
-			this.workflowsStore.executionWaitingForWebhook = false;
+			this.workflowsStore.resetState();
 			this.uiStore.removeActiveAction('workflowRunning');
 
 			this.uiStore.resetSelectedNodes();

packages/nodes-base/nodes/CompareDatasets/CompareDatasets.node.ts

@@ -24,8 +24,7 @@ export class CompareDatasets implements INodeType {
 		// eslint-disable-next-line n8n-nodes-base/node-class-description-inputs-wrong-regular-node
 		inputs: ['main', 'main'],
 		inputNames: ['Input A', 'Input B'],
-		forceInputNodeExecution: '={{ $version < 2.3 }}',
-		requiredInputs: '={{ $version < 2.3 ? undefined : 1 }}',
+		requiredInputs: 1,
 		// eslint-disable-next-line n8n-nodes-base/node-class-description-outputs-wrong
 		outputs: ['main', 'main', 'main', 'main'],
 		outputNames: ['In A only', 'Same', 'Different', 'In B only'],

packages/nodes-base/nodes/CompareDatasets/test/node/workflow.compareDatasets.forceInputNodeExecution.json

@@ -1,23 +1,23 @@
 {
-	"name": "Compare Datasets Node Test",
+	"name": "My workflow",
 	"nodes": [
 		{
 			"parameters": {},
-			"id": "0312bddf-aae0-423c-9041-d54fb124934f",
+			"id": "4013708d-2460-44b7-923d-e3cd36eb9287",
 			"name": "When clicking \"Execute Workflow\"",
 			"type": "n8n-nodes-base.manualTrigger",
 			"typeVersion": 1,
-			"position": [480, 720]
+			"position": [-6660, 8040]
 		},
 		{
 			"parameters": {
 				"jsCode": "return [\n  {\n    json: {\n      number: 0\n    }\n  },\n  {\n    json: {\n      number: 1\n    }\n  },\n  {\n    json: {\n      number: 2\n    }\n  }\n];"
 			},
-			"id": "0542886d-6ab2-4695-b686-2cd60729ba9a",
+			"id": "be417cbe-7a4f-40eb-8a26-fca253a01882",
 			"name": "Code",
 			"type": "n8n-nodes-base.code",
 			"typeVersion": 1,
-			"position": [900, 640]
+			"position": [-6240, 8040]
 		},
 		{
 			"parameters": {
@@ -31,173 +31,53 @@
 				},
 				"options": {}
 			},
-			"id": "f3e5e43b-a3bf-46c7-acd7-ae3d7d19d9f9",
+			"id": "97d65223-16c9-4d26-b31e-d818e1adbc8a",
 			"name": "Compare Datasets 2.2 - Old",
 			"type": "n8n-nodes-base.compareDatasets",
 			"typeVersion": 2.2,
-			"position": [1260, 40]
+			"position": [-5800, 8140]
 		},
 		{
 			"parameters": {
 				"jsCode": "return [\n  {\n    json: {\n      number: 0\n    }\n  },\n  {\n    json: {\n      number: 1,\n      k: 2,\n    }\n  },\n  {\n    json: {\n      number: 10\n    }\n  },\n  {\n    json: {\n      number: 11\n    }\n  },\n  {\n    json: {\n      number: 12\n    }\n  }\n];"
 			},
-			"id": "c62e90b3-f84a-48a5-94bf-3267a4c8b69e",
+			"id": "94580b8b-b698-4c49-98b6-12973b6f4220",
 			"name": "Code1",
 			"type": "n8n-nodes-base.code",
 			"typeVersion": 1,
-			"position": [900, 60]
-		},
-		{
-			"parameters": {
-				"jsCode": "return [\n  {\n    json: {\n      number: 0\n    }\n  },\n  {\n    json: {\n      number: 1,\n      k: 2,\n    }\n  },\n  {\n    json: {\n      number: 10\n    }\n  },\n  {\n    json: {\n      number: 11\n    }\n  },\n  {\n    json: {\n      number: 12\n    }\n  }\n];"
-			},
-			"id": "46320ca2-8e8e-4ecf-b4f6-5899807c1500",
-			"name": "Code2",
-			"type": "n8n-nodes-base.code",
-			"typeVersion": 1,
-			"position": [900, 840]
+			"position": [-6240, 8260]
 		},
 		{
 			"parameters": {},
-			"id": "4ae12a83-5d3f-4d5b-845b-65c930d8ef5a",
+			"id": "78ec40a4-775d-467b-bacb-805658190b29",
 			"name": "Old - A only",
 			"type": "n8n-nodes-base.noOp",
 			"typeVersion": 1,
-			"position": [1520, -180]
+			"position": [-5540, 7920]
 		},
 		{
 			"parameters": {},
-			"id": "d4f5fd94-4b46-4b8c-8b8a-073e8c32ad85",
-			"name": "New - A only",
-			"type": "n8n-nodes-base.noOp",
-			"typeVersion": 1,
-			"position": [1520, 440]
-		},
-		{
-			"parameters": {},
-			"id": "0939f79b-fd75-4d2f-b40b-50780114c3f2",
+			"id": "eaa4cc93-53c6-4d00-9407-bd5da23e868e",
 			"name": "Old - Same",
 			"type": "n8n-nodes-base.noOp",
 			"typeVersion": 1,
-			"position": [1520, -40]
+			"position": [-5540, 8060]
 		},
 		{
 			"parameters": {},
-			"id": "199ea52c-b30a-401d-a920-9db5c8e10d38",
+			"id": "d073db39-1902-411d-80dd-6ea8f42ac33b",
 			"name": "Old - Different",
 			"type": "n8n-nodes-base.noOp",
 			"typeVersion": 1,
-			"position": [1520, 100]
+			"position": [-5540, 8200]
 		},
 		{
 			"parameters": {},
-			"id": "1ebcb5bb-3061-47ef-8c79-847ae8bdb568",
+			"id": "29f92258-4869-43c1-9cef-9c281397ccc8",
 			"name": "Old - B only",
 			"type": "n8n-nodes-base.noOp",
 			"typeVersion": 1,
-			"position": [1520, 240]
-		},
-		{
-			"parameters": {},
-			"id": "38689dbf-49f2-4f3b-855b-abd821ec316f",
-			"name": "New - B only",
-			"type": "n8n-nodes-base.noOp",
-			"typeVersion": 1,
-			"position": [1520, 860]
-		},
-		{
-			"parameters": {},
-			"id": "dfcac903-95dc-4519-b49f-a6a65bf8fdb8",
-			"name": "New - Different",
-			"type": "n8n-nodes-base.noOp",
-			"typeVersion": 1,
-			"position": [1520, 720]
-		},
-		{
-			"parameters": {},
-			"id": "b8588ebc-4dc8-41f5-9a0a-64d151d7122e",
-			"name": "New - Same",
-			"type": "n8n-nodes-base.noOp",
-			"typeVersion": 1,
-			"position": [1520, 580]
-		},
-		{
-			"parameters": {
-				"jsCode": "return [\n  {\n    json: {\n      number: 0\n    }\n  },\n  {\n    json: {\n      number: 1,\n      k: 2,\n    }\n  },\n  {\n    json: {\n      number: 10\n    }\n  },\n  {\n    json: {\n      number: 11\n    }\n  },\n  {\n    json: {\n      number: 12\n    }\n  }\n];"
-			},
-			"id": "d35f3f52-c967-46e8-be3a-0bf709b20ef8",
-			"name": "Code3",
-			"type": "n8n-nodes-base.code",
-			"typeVersion": 1,
-			"position": [880, 1340]
-		},
-		{
-			"parameters": {},
-			"id": "75690ad6-c870-4950-9085-12fdd9c12ddd",
-			"name": "New - A only1",
-			"type": "n8n-nodes-base.noOp",
-			"typeVersion": 1,
-			"position": [1520, 1100]
-		},
-		{
-			"parameters": {},
-			"id": "9abb523f-349c-48b0-b36b-0c74064a6219",
-			"name": "New - B only1",
-			"type": "n8n-nodes-base.noOp",
-			"typeVersion": 1,
-			"position": [1520, 1520]
-		},
-		{
-			"parameters": {},
-			"id": "c4230d94-eaa6-420d-baff-288463722a03",
-			"name": "New - Different1",
-			"type": "n8n-nodes-base.noOp",
-			"typeVersion": 1,
-			"position": [1520, 1380]
-		},
-		{
-			"parameters": {},
-			"id": "58287181-dc90-4806-a053-83b3ef36e673",
-			"name": "New - Same1",
-			"type": "n8n-nodes-base.noOp",
-			"typeVersion": 1,
-			"position": [1520, 1240]
-		},
-		{
-			"parameters": {
-				"mergeByFields": {
-					"values": [
-						{
-							"field1": "number",
-							"field2": "number"
-						}
-					]
-				},
-				"options": {}
-			},
-			"id": "5514c636-ee64-45f3-8832-77ad6652cc08",
-			"name": "Compare Datasets 2.3 - New - Connected",
-			"type": "n8n-nodes-base.compareDatasets",
-			"typeVersion": 2.3,
-			"position": [1260, 1320]
-		},
-		{
-			"parameters": {
-				"mergeByFields": {
-					"values": [
-						{
-							"field1": "number",
-							"field2": "number"
-						}
-					]
-				},
-				"options": {}
-			},
-			"id": "a25f4766-9bb4-40a0-9ae2-ef0004f5938a",
-			"name": "Compare Datasets 2.3 - New - Not Connected",
-			"type": "n8n-nodes-base.compareDatasets",
-			"typeVersion": 2.3,
-			"position": [1260, 660]
+			"position": [-5540, 8340]
 		}
 	],
 	"pinData": {
@@ -249,72 +129,6 @@
 					"number": 12
 				}
 			}
-		],
-		"New - A only": [
-			{
-				"json": {
-					"number": 0
-				}
-			},
-			{
-				"json": {
-					"number": 1
-				}
-			},
-			{
-				"json": {
-					"number": 2
-				}
-			}
-		],
-		"New - A only1": [
-			{
-				"json": {
-					"number": 2
-				}
-			}
-		],
-		"New - Same1": [
-			{
-				"json": {
-					"number": 0
-				}
-			}
-		],
-		"New - Different1": [
-			{
-				"json": {
-					"keys": {
-						"number": 1
-					},
-					"same": {
-						"number": 1
-					},
-					"different": {
-						"k": {
-							"inputA": null,
-							"inputB": 2
-						}
-					}
-				}
-			}
-		],
-		"New - B only1": [
-			{
-				"json": {
-					"number": 10
-				}
-			},
-			{
-				"json": {
-					"number": 11
-				}
-			},
-			{
-				"json": {
-					"number": 12
-				}
-			}
 		]
 	},
 	"connections": {
@@ -325,11 +139,6 @@
 						"node": "Code",
 						"type": "main",
 						"index": 0
-					},
-					{
-						"node": "Code3",
-						"type": "main",
-						"index": 0
 					}
 				]
 			]
@@ -337,20 +146,10 @@
 		"Code": {
 			"main": [
 				[
-					{
-						"node": "Compare Datasets 2.3 - New - Not Connected",
-						"type": "main",
-						"index": 0
-					},
 					{
 						"node": "Compare Datasets 2.2 - Old",
 						"type": "main",
 						"index": 0
-					},
-					{
-						"node": "Compare Datasets 2.3 - New - Connected",
-						"type": "main",
-						"index": 0
 					}
 				]
 			]
@@ -366,17 +165,6 @@
 				]
 			]
 		},
-		"Code2": {
-			"main": [
-				[
-					{
-						"node": "Compare Datasets 2.3 - New - Not Connected",
-						"type": "main",
-						"index": 1
-					}
-				]
-			]
-		},
 		"Compare Datasets 2.2 - Old": {
 			"main": [
 				[
@@ -408,87 +196,14 @@
 					}
 				]
 			]
-		},
-		"Code3": {
-			"main": [
-				[
-					{
-						"node": "Compare Datasets 2.3 - New - Connected",
-						"type": "main",
-						"index": 1
-					}
-				]
-			]
-		},
-		"Compare Datasets 2.3 - New - Connected": {
-			"main": [
-				[
-					{
-						"node": "New - A only1",
-						"type": "main",
-						"index": 0
-					}
-				],
-				[
-					{
-						"node": "New - Same1",
-						"type": "main",
-						"index": 0
-					}
-				],
-				[
-					{
-						"node": "New - Different1",
-						"type": "main",
-						"index": 0
-					}
-				],
-				[
-					{
-						"node": "New - B only1",
-						"type": "main",
-						"index": 0
-					}
-				]
-			]
-		},
-		"Compare Datasets 2.3 - New - Not Connected": {
-			"main": [
-				[
-					{
-						"node": "New - A only",
-						"type": "main",
-						"index": 0
-					}
-				],
-				[
-					{
-						"node": "New - Same",
-						"type": "main",
-						"index": 0
-					}
-				],
-				[
-					{
-						"node": "New - Different",
-						"type": "main",
-						"index": 0
-					}
-				],
-				[
-					{
-						"node": "New - B only",
-						"type": "main",
-						"index": 0
-					}
-				]
-			]
 		}
 	},
 	"active": false,
-	"settings": {},
-	"versionId": "d5c0f040-7406-4e69-bd5d-a362a739c8d8",
-	"id": "1114",
+	"settings": {
+		"executionOrder": "v0"
+	},
+	"versionId": "49a52ed2-ec4b-44b1-9dbd-c13fac4144f2",
+	"id": "ZpXvXjaKKZihfA2x",
 	"meta": {
 		"instanceId": "021d3c82ba2d3bc090cbf4fc81c9312668bcc34297e022bb3438c5c88a43a5ff"
 	},

packages/nodes-base/nodes/Merge/test/node/workflow.mixed.not.forceInputNodeExecution.json

@@ -2366,7 +2366,9 @@
 		}
 	},
 	"active": false,
-	"settings": {},
+	"settings": {
+		"executionOrder": "v1"
+	},
 	"versionId": "6b37555c-fd78-4135-9c59-4912a71e18db",
 	"id": "1107",
 	"meta": {

packages/nodes-base/nodes/Merge/v1/MergeV1.node.ts

@@ -30,7 +30,6 @@ const versionDescription: INodeTypeDescription = {
 	inputs: ['main', 'main'],
 	outputs: ['main'],
 	inputNames: ['Input 1', 'Input 2'],
-	forceInputNodeExecution: true,
 	properties: [
 		oldVersionNotice,
 		{

packages/nodes-base/nodes/Merge/v2/MergeV2.node.ts

@@ -48,9 +48,7 @@ const versionDescription: INodeTypeDescription = {
 	inputNames: ['Input 1', 'Input 2'],
 	// If the node is of version 2.2 or if mode is chooseBranch data from both branches is required
 	// to continue, else data from any input suffices
-	requiredInputs:
-		'={{ $version < 2.2 ? undefined : ($parameter["mode"] === "chooseBranch" ? [0, 1] : 1) }}',
-	forceInputNodeExecution: '={{ $version < 2.2 }}',
+	requiredInputs: '={{ $parameter["mode"] === "chooseBranch" ? [0, 1] : 1 }}',
 	properties: [
 		{
 			displayName: 'Mode',

packages/nodes-base/test/nodes/ExecuteWorkflow.ts

@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ export async function executeWorkflow(testData: WorkflowTestData, nodeTypes: INo
 		connections: testData.input.workflowData.connections,
 		active: false,
 		nodeTypes,
+		settings: testData.input.workflowData.settings,
 	});
 	const waitPromise = await createDeferredPromise<IRun>();
 	const nodeExecutionOrder: string[] = [];

packages/workflow/src/Interfaces.ts

@@ -1429,8 +1429,7 @@ export interface INodeTypeDescription extends INodeTypeBaseDescription {
 	eventTriggerDescription?: string;
 	activationMessage?: string;
 	inputs: string[];
-	forceInputNodeExecution?: string | boolean; // TODO: This option should be deprecated after a while
-	requiredInputs?: string | number[] | number;
+	requiredInputs?: string | number[] | number; // Ony available with executionOrder => "v1"
 	inputNames?: string[];
 	outputs: string[];
 	outputNames?: string[];
@@ -1770,6 +1769,7 @@ export interface IWorkflowSettings {
 	saveManualExecutions?: 'DEFAULT' | boolean;
 	saveExecutionProgress?: 'DEFAULT' | boolean;
 	executionTimeout?: number;
+	executionOrder?: 'v0' | 'v1';
 }
 
 export interface WorkflowTestData {

packages/workflow/src/Workflow.ts

@@ -1191,26 +1191,14 @@ export class Workflow {
 				connectionInputData = inputData.main[0] as INodeExecutionData[];
 			}
 
-			let forceInputNodeExecution = nodeType.description.forceInputNodeExecution;
-			if (forceInputNodeExecution !== undefined) {
-				if (typeof forceInputNodeExecution === 'string') {
-					forceInputNodeExecution = !!this.expression.getSimpleParameterValue(
-						node,
-						forceInputNodeExecution,
-						mode,
-						additionalData.timezone,
-						{ $version: node.typeVersion },
-					);
-				}
-
-				if (!forceInputNodeExecution) {
-					// If the nodes do not get force executed data of some inputs may be missing
-					// for that reason do we use the data of the first one that contains any
-					for (const mainData of inputData.main) {
-						if (mainData?.length) {
-							connectionInputData = mainData;
-							break;
-						}
+			const forceInputNodeExecution = this.settings.executionOrder !== 'v1';
+			if (!forceInputNodeExecution) {
+				// If the nodes do not get force executed data of some inputs may be missing
+				// for that reason do we use the data of the first one that contains any
+				for (const mainData of inputData.main) {
+					if (mainData?.length) {
+						connectionInputData = mainData;
+						break;
 					}
 				}
 			}