A palette of graphical program nodes, including a display window displaying a plurality of graphical program nodes for use in a graphical program. The graphical program nodes form a hierarchy, and include a first plurality of function nodes, each corresponding to a respective functionality; and a second plurality of property nodes, each corresponding to a respective function node and each specifically providing access to properties of the respective function node. The function nodes are arranged according to typical use in program development, and each property node is displayed proximate to the respective function node. Respective node icons for each function node and corresponding property node may include respective corresponding images indicating the functionality of the nodes. Each function node is preferably a polymorphic function node corresponding to a respective generic functionality, and is type-switchable between each of a plurality of function node types, each corresponding to a respective specific functionality.