executing a dataflow graph on a processing system having a plurality of compute nodes, each having a ready-to-read credit counter and a write credit counter, that transmit data along data connections; and

controlling data transmission between compute nodes in the plurality of compute nodes along the data connections by using dedicated control connections between the compute nodes to selectively control writing of data based on both the ready-to-read credit counter and the write credit counter in a particular compute node of the plurality of compute nodes that provides the data for a particular data transmission, wherein the control connections are distinct from the data connections and are configured to transmit control signals that manage flow of the data by selectively incrementing the ready-to-read credit counter and the write credit counter in the particular compute node.