# Node Table

To each chance node and each utility node in a Bayesian network or a (limited-memory) influence diagram is assigned a table, specifying a function associated with the node. Also, each decision node has a table associated with it, specifying an initial policy for the decision variable represented by the node. These tables are referred to as node tables. The types of the tables differ depending on the types of the nodes.

The HUGIN Graphical User Interface provides a number of powerful features for displaying node tables, including resizing, collapsing selected sets of columns, graphics display modes, etc.

The probabilities and utilities of discrete chance nodes and utility nodes, respectively, can be specified manually (i.e., directly through click-and-type operations) or they can be specified indirectly through specification of powerful expressions, which (if appropriate) can save a lot of work. The initial policy for a decision node can also be specified both manually and using expressions. Notice that the initial policy of a decision node is updated, if Single Policy Updating is invoked.

When working in Edit Mode with the Tables Pane open, the currently selected nodes will have their tables displayed in the Tables Pane.

See the Node Table Tutorial for more information on node tables.