Python: deprecate AstNode.getAFlowNode() and rewrite internal callers

Preparatory refactor for the shared-CFG dataflow migration.

Deprecates the AstNode.getAFlowNode() cached predicate on the public
Python QL API and rewrites all ~140 internal callers across lib/, src/,
test/, and tools/ from `expr.getAFlowNode() = cfgNode` to
`cfgNode.getNode() = expr`, using ControlFlowNode.getNode() which
already exists in Flow.qll.

The predicate itself is preserved (with a deprecation note pointing at
the new pattern) so external users do not experience churn — they can
migrate at their own pace and the AST/CFG hierarchies still get the
intended untangling once the deprecation eventually elapses.

Semantic noop verified by:
- All 361 lib/ + src/ queries compile clean.
- All 122 ControlFlow + PointsTo library-tests pass.
- All 64 dataflow library-tests pass.
- All 113 Variables/Exceptions/Expressions/Statements/Functions/Imports/
  Security/CWE-798/ModificationOfParameterWithDefault query-tests pass.

Co-authored-by: Copilot <223556219+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>

python/ql/lib/LegacyPointsTo.qll

@@ -213,9 +213,11 @@ class ExprWithPointsTo extends Expr {
    * Gets what this expression might "refer-to" in the given `context`.
    */
   predicate refersTo(Context context, Object obj, ClassObject cls, AstNode origin) {
-    this.getAFlowNode()
-        .(ControlFlowNodeWithPointsTo)
-        .refersTo(context, obj, cls, origin.getAFlowNode())
+    exists(ControlFlowNode this_, ControlFlowNode origin_ |
+      this_.getNode() = this and origin_.getNode() = origin
+    |
+      this_.(ControlFlowNodeWithPointsTo).refersTo(context, obj, cls, origin_)
+    )
   }
 
   /**
@@ -226,7 +228,11 @@ class ExprWithPointsTo extends Expr {
    */
   pragma[nomagic]
   predicate refersTo(Object obj, AstNode origin) {
-    this.getAFlowNode().(ControlFlowNodeWithPointsTo).refersTo(obj, origin.getAFlowNode())
+    exists(ControlFlowNode this_, ControlFlowNode origin_ |
+      this_.getNode() = this and origin_.getNode() = origin
+    |
+      this_.(ControlFlowNodeWithPointsTo).refersTo(obj, origin_)
+    )
   }
 
   /**
@@ -240,16 +246,22 @@ class ExprWithPointsTo extends Expr {
    * in the given `context`.
    */
   predicate pointsTo(Context context, Value value, AstNode origin) {
-    this.getAFlowNode()
-        .(ControlFlowNodeWithPointsTo)
-        .pointsTo(context, value, origin.getAFlowNode())
+    exists(ControlFlowNode this_, ControlFlowNode origin_ |
+      this_.getNode() = this and origin_.getNode() = origin
+    |
+      this_.(ControlFlowNodeWithPointsTo).pointsTo(context, value, origin_)
+    )
   }
 
   /**
    * Holds if this expression might "point-to" to `value` which is from `origin`.
    */
   predicate pointsTo(Value value, AstNode origin) {
-    this.getAFlowNode().(ControlFlowNodeWithPointsTo).pointsTo(value, origin.getAFlowNode())
+    exists(ControlFlowNode this_, ControlFlowNode origin_ |
+      this_.getNode() = this and origin_.getNode() = origin
+    |
+      this_.(ControlFlowNodeWithPointsTo).pointsTo(value, origin_)
+    )
   }
 
   /**
@@ -475,7 +487,10 @@ class FunctionMetricsWithPointsTo extends FunctionMetrics {
     not non_coupling_method(result) and
     exists(Call call | call.getScope() = this |
       exists(FunctionObject callee | callee.getFunction() = result |
-        call.getAFlowNode().getFunction().(ControlFlowNodeWithPointsTo).refersTo(callee)
+        exists(CallNode call_ |
+          call_.getNode() = call and
+          call_.getFunction().(ControlFlowNodeWithPointsTo).refersTo(callee)
+        )
       )
       or
       exists(Attribute a | call.getFunc() = a |

python/ql/lib/analysis/DefinitionTracking.qll

@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ private predicate jump_to_defn(ControlFlowNode use, Definition defn) {
 private predicate preferred_jump_to_defn(Expr use, Definition def) {
   not use instanceof ClassExpr and
   not use instanceof FunctionExpr and
-  jump_to_defn(use.getAFlowNode(), def)
+  exists(ControlFlowNode useNode | useNode.getNode() = use | jump_to_defn(useNode, def))
 }
 
 private predicate unique_jump_to_defn(Expr use, Definition def) {
@@ -452,7 +452,7 @@ private predicate self_parameter_jump_to_defn_attribute(
  * This exists primarily for testing use `getPreferredDefinition()` instead.
  */
 Definition getADefinition(Expr use) {
-  jump_to_defn(use.getAFlowNode(), result) and
+  exists(ControlFlowNode useNode | useNode.getNode() = use | jump_to_defn(useNode, result)) and
   not use instanceof Call and
   not use.isArtificial() and
   // Not the use itself

python/ql/lib/change-notes/2026-05-19-deprecate-getAFlowNode.md

@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+category: deprecated
+---
+* The `AstNode.getAFlowNode()` predicate has been deprecated. Use `ControlFlowNode.getNode()` from the other direction instead: replace `e.getAFlowNode() = n` with `n.getNode() = e`. This is a preparatory step towards migrating the dataflow library off the legacy CFG; it has no semantic effect.
+

python/ql/lib/semmle/python/AstExtended.qll

@@ -17,12 +17,17 @@ abstract class AstNode extends AstNode_ {
   abstract Scope getScope();
 
   /**
+   * DEPRECATED: use `ControlFlowNode.getNode()` from the other direction instead;
+   * that is, replace `e.getAFlowNode() = n` with `n.getNode() = e`. This API is
+   * being removed to untangle the AST and CFG hierarchies in preparation for
+   * migrating the dataflow library off the legacy CFG.
+   *
    * Gets a flow node corresponding directly to this node.
    * NOTE: For some statements and other purely syntactic elements,
-   * there may not be a `ControlFlowNode`
+   * there may not be a `ControlFlowNode`.
    */
   cached
-  ControlFlowNode getAFlowNode() {
+  deprecated ControlFlowNode getAFlowNode() {
     Stages::AST::ref() and
     py_flow_bb_node(result, this, _, _)
   }

python/ql/lib/semmle/python/Exprs.qll

@@ -28,7 +28,9 @@ class Expr extends Expr_, AstNode {
   /** Whether this expression may have a side effect (as determined purely from its syntax) */
   predicate hasSideEffects() {
     /* If an exception raised by this expression handled, count that as a side effect */
-    this.getAFlowNode().getASuccessor().getNode() instanceof ExceptStmt
+    exists(ControlFlowNode n | n.getNode() = this |
+      n.getASuccessor().getNode() instanceof ExceptStmt
+    )
     or
     this.getASubExpression().hasSideEffects()
   }
@@ -68,7 +70,7 @@ class Attribute extends Attribute_ {
   /* syntax: Expr.name */
   override Expr getASubExpression() { result = this.getObject() }
 
-  override AttrNode getAFlowNode() { result = super.getAFlowNode() }
+  deprecated override AttrNode getAFlowNode() { result = super.getAFlowNode() }
 
   /** Gets the name of this attribute. That is the `name` in `obj.name` */
   string getName() { result = Attribute_.super.getAttr() }
@@ -97,7 +99,7 @@ class Subscript extends Subscript_ {
 
   Expr getObject() { result = Subscript_.super.getValue() }
 
-  override SubscriptNode getAFlowNode() { result = super.getAFlowNode() }
+  deprecated override SubscriptNode getAFlowNode() { result = super.getAFlowNode() }
 }
 
 /** A call expression, such as `func(...)` */
@@ -113,7 +115,7 @@ class Call extends Call_ {
 
   override string toString() { result = this.getFunc().toString() + "()" }
 
-  override CallNode getAFlowNode() { result = super.getAFlowNode() }
+  deprecated override CallNode getAFlowNode() { result = super.getAFlowNode() }
 
   /** Gets a tuple (*) argument of this call. */
   Expr getStarargs() { result = this.getAPositionalArg().(Starred).getValue() }
@@ -201,7 +203,7 @@ class IfExp extends IfExp_ {
     result = this.getTest() or result = this.getBody() or result = this.getOrelse()
   }
 
-  override IfExprNode getAFlowNode() { result = super.getAFlowNode() }
+  deprecated override IfExprNode getAFlowNode() { result = super.getAFlowNode() }
 }
 
 /** A starred expression, such as the `*rest` in the assignment `first, *rest = seq` */
@@ -411,7 +413,7 @@ class PlaceHolder extends PlaceHolder_ {
 
   override string toString() { result = "$" + this.getId() }
 
-  override NameNode getAFlowNode() { result = super.getAFlowNode() }
+  deprecated override NameNode getAFlowNode() { result = super.getAFlowNode() }
 }
 
 /** A tuple expression such as `( 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 )` */
@@ -478,7 +480,7 @@ class Name extends Name_ {
 
   override string toString() { result = this.getId() }
 
-  override NameNode getAFlowNode() { result = super.getAFlowNode() }
+  deprecated override NameNode getAFlowNode() { result = super.getAFlowNode() }
 
   override predicate isArtificial() {
     /* Artificial variable names in comprehensions all start with "." */
@@ -585,7 +587,7 @@ abstract class NameConstant extends Name, ImmutableLiteral {
 
   override predicate isConstant() { any() }
 
-  override NameConstantNode getAFlowNode() { result = Name.super.getAFlowNode() }
+  deprecated override NameConstantNode getAFlowNode() { result = Name.super.getAFlowNode() }
 
   override predicate isArtificial() { none() }
 }

python/ql/lib/semmle/python/Flow.qll

@@ -555,27 +555,27 @@ class DefinitionNode extends ControlFlowNode {
   cached
   DefinitionNode() {
     Stages::AST::ref() and
-    exists(Assign a | a.getATarget().getAFlowNode() = this)
+    exists(Assign a | this.getNode() = a.getATarget())
     or
-    exists(AssignExpr a | a.getTarget().getAFlowNode() = this)
+    exists(AssignExpr a | this.getNode() = a.getTarget())
     or
-    exists(AnnAssign a | a.getTarget().getAFlowNode() = this and exists(a.getValue()))
+    exists(AnnAssign a | this.getNode() = a.getTarget() and exists(a.getValue()))
     or
-    exists(Alias a | a.getAsname().getAFlowNode() = this)
+    exists(Alias a | this.getNode() = a.getAsname())
     or
     augstore(_, this)
     or
     // `x, y = 1, 2` where LHS is a combination of list or tuples
-    exists(Assign a | list_or_tuple_nested_element(a.getATarget()).getAFlowNode() = this)
+    exists(Assign a | this.getNode() = list_or_tuple_nested_element(a.getATarget()))
     or
-    exists(For for | for.getTarget().getAFlowNode() = this)
+    exists(For for | this.getNode() = for.getTarget())
     or
-    exists(Parameter param | this = param.asName().getAFlowNode() and exists(param.getDefault()))
+    exists(Parameter param | this.getNode() = param.asName() and exists(param.getDefault()))
   }
 
   /** flow node corresponding to the value assigned for the definition corresponding to this flow node */
   ControlFlowNode getValue() {
-    result = assigned_value(this.getNode()).getAFlowNode() and
+    result.getNode() = assigned_value(this.getNode()) and
     (
       result.getBasicBlock().dominates(this.getBasicBlock())
       or
@@ -584,7 +584,7 @@ class DefinitionNode extends ControlFlowNode {
       // since the default value for a parameter is evaluated in the same basic block as
       // the function definition, but the parameter belongs to the basic block of the function,
       // there is no dominance relationship between the two.
-      exists(Parameter param | this = param.asName().getAFlowNode())
+      exists(Parameter param | this.getNode() = param.asName())
     )
   }
 }
@@ -901,7 +901,7 @@ class ExceptFlowNode extends ControlFlowNode {
     exists(ExceptStmt ex |
       this.getBasicBlock().dominates(result.getBasicBlock()) and
       ex = this.getNode() and
-      result = ex.getType().getAFlowNode()
+      result.getNode() = ex.getType()
     )
   }
 
@@ -913,7 +913,7 @@ class ExceptFlowNode extends ControlFlowNode {
     exists(ExceptStmt ex |
       this.getBasicBlock().dominates(result.getBasicBlock()) and
       ex = this.getNode() and
-      result = ex.getName().getAFlowNode()
+      result.getNode() = ex.getName()
     )
   }
 }
@@ -928,7 +928,7 @@ class ExceptGroupFlowNode extends ControlFlowNode {
    */
   ControlFlowNode getType() {
     this.getBasicBlock().dominates(result.getBasicBlock()) and
-    result = this.getNode().(ExceptGroupStmt).getType().getAFlowNode()
+    result.getNode() = this.getNode().(ExceptGroupStmt).getType()
   }
 
   /**
@@ -937,7 +937,7 @@ class ExceptGroupFlowNode extends ControlFlowNode {
    */
   ControlFlowNode getName() {
     this.getBasicBlock().dominates(result.getBasicBlock()) and
-    result = this.getNode().(ExceptGroupStmt).getName().getAFlowNode()
+    result.getNode() = this.getNode().(ExceptGroupStmt).getName()
   }
 }
 

python/ql/lib/semmle/python/Import.qll

@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ class ImportMember extends ImportMember_ {
     result = this.getModule().(ImportExpr).getImportedModuleName() + "." + this.getName()
   }
 
-  override ImportMemberNode getAFlowNode() { result = super.getAFlowNode() }
+  deprecated override ImportMemberNode getAFlowNode() { result = super.getAFlowNode() }
 }
 
 /** An import statement */

python/ql/lib/semmle/python/SelfAttribute.qll

@@ -46,20 +46,23 @@ class SelfAttributeRead extends SelfAttribute {
   }
 
   predicate guardedByHasattr() {
-    exists(Variable var, ControlFlowNode n |
-      var.getAUse() = this.getObject().getAFlowNode() and
+    exists(Variable var, ControlFlowNode n, ControlFlowNode this_, ControlFlowNode obj_ |
+      this_.getNode() = this and obj_.getNode() = this.getObject()
+    |
+      var.getAUse() = obj_ and
       hasattr(n, var.getAUse(), this.getName()) and
-      n.strictlyDominates(this.getAFlowNode())
+      n.strictlyDominates(this_)
     )
   }
 
   pragma[noinline]
   predicate locallyDefined() {
-    exists(SelfAttributeStore store |
-      this.getName() = store.getName() and
-      this.getScope() = store.getScope()
+    exists(SelfAttributeStore store, ControlFlowNode store_, ControlFlowNode this_ |
+      store_.getNode() = store and this_.getNode() = this
     |
-      store.getAFlowNode().strictlyDominates(this.getAFlowNode())
+      this.getName() = store.getName() and
+      this.getScope() = store.getScope() and
+      store_.strictlyDominates(this_)
     )
   }
 }

python/ql/lib/semmle/python/dataflow/new/BarrierGuards.qll

@@ -5,24 +5,30 @@ private import semmle.python.dataflow.new.DataFlow
 
 private predicate constCompare(DataFlow::GuardNode g, ControlFlowNode node, boolean branch) {
   exists(CompareNode cn | cn = g |
-    exists(ImmutableLiteral const, Cmpop op |
-      op = any(Eq eq) and branch = true
-      or
-      op = any(NotEq ne) and branch = false
+    exists(ImmutableLiteral const, Cmpop op, ControlFlowNode c |
+      c.getNode() = const and
+      (
+        op = any(Eq eq) and branch = true
+        or
+        op = any(NotEq ne) and branch = false
+      )
     |
-      cn.operands(const.getAFlowNode(), op, node)
+      cn.operands(c, op, node)
       or
-      cn.operands(node, op, const.getAFlowNode())
+      cn.operands(node, op, c)
     )
     or
-    exists(NameConstant const, Cmpop op |
-      op = any(Is is_) and branch = true
-      or
-      op = any(IsNot isn) and branch = false
+    exists(NameConstant const, Cmpop op, ControlFlowNode c |
+      c.getNode() = const and
+      (
+        op = any(Is is_) and branch = true
+        or
+        op = any(IsNot isn) and branch = false
+      )
     |
-      cn.operands(const.getAFlowNode(), op, node)
+      cn.operands(c, op, node)
       or
-      cn.operands(node, op, const.getAFlowNode())
+      cn.operands(node, op, c)
     )
     or
     exists(IterableNode const_iterable, Cmpop op |

python/ql/lib/semmle/python/dataflow/new/internal/Attributes.qll

@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ private class ClassDefinitionAsAttrWrite extends AttrWrite, CfgNode {
 
   override Node getValue() { result.asCfgNode() = node.getValue() }
 
-  override Node getObject() { result.asCfgNode() = cls.getAFlowNode() }
+  override Node getObject() { result.asCfgNode().getNode() = cls }
 
   override ExprNode getAttributeNameExpr() { none() }
 

python/ql/lib/semmle/python/dataflow/new/internal/DataFlowDispatch.qll

@@ -1913,8 +1913,8 @@ abstract class ReturnNode extends Node {
 class ExtractedReturnNode extends ReturnNode, CfgNode {
   // See `TaintTrackingImplementation::returnFlowStep`
   ExtractedReturnNode() {
-    node = any(Return ret).getValue().getAFlowNode() or
-    node = any(Yield yield).getAFlowNode()
+    node.getNode() = any(Return ret).getValue() or
+    node.getNode() = any(Yield yield)
   }
 
   override ReturnKind getKind() { any() }
@@ -1932,7 +1932,7 @@ class ExtractedReturnNode extends ReturnNode, CfgNode {
 class YieldNodeInContextManagerFunction extends ReturnNode, CfgNode {
   YieldNodeInContextManagerFunction() {
     hasContextmanagerDecorator(node.getScope()) and
-    node = any(Yield yield).getValue().getAFlowNode()
+    node.getNode() = any(Yield yield).getValue()
   }
 
   override ReturnKind getKind() { any() }

python/ql/lib/semmle/python/dataflow/new/internal/DataFlowPrivate.qll

@@ -185,8 +185,8 @@ private predicate synthDictSplatArgumentNodeStoreStep(
  */
 predicate yieldStoreStep(Node nodeFrom, Content c, Node nodeTo) {
   exists(Yield yield |
-    nodeTo.asCfgNode() = yield.getAFlowNode() and
-    nodeFrom.asCfgNode() = yield.getValue().getAFlowNode() and
+    nodeTo.asCfgNode().getNode() = yield and
+    nodeFrom.asCfgNode().getNode() = yield.getValue() and
     // TODO: Consider if this will also need to transfer dictionary content
     // once dictionary comprehensions are supported.
     c instanceof ListElementContent

python/ql/lib/semmle/python/dataflow/new/internal/DataFlowPublic.qll

@@ -485,7 +485,7 @@ class ModuleVariableNode extends Node, TModuleVariableNode {
 
   /** Gets a node that reads this variable, excluding reads that happen through `from ... import *`. */
   Node getALocalRead() {
-    result.asCfgNode() = var.getALoad().getAFlowNode() and
+    result.asCfgNode().getNode() = var.getALoad() and
     not result.getScope() = mod
   }
 

python/ql/lib/semmle/python/dataflow/new/internal/VariableCapture.qll

@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ private module CaptureInput implements Shared::InputSig<Location, Cfg::BasicBloc
   class VariableWrite extends ControlFlowNode {
     CapturedVariable v;
 
-    VariableWrite() { this = v.getAStore().getAFlowNode().(DefinitionNode).getValue() }
+    VariableWrite() { exists(DefinitionNode d | d.getNode() = v.getAStore() | this = d.getValue()) }
 
     CapturedVariable getVariable() { result = v }
 
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ private module CaptureInput implements Shared::InputSig<Location, Cfg::BasicBloc
   class VariableRead extends Expr {
     CapturedVariable v;
 
-    VariableRead() { this = v.getALoad().getAFlowNode() }
+    VariableRead() { this.getNode() = v.getALoad() }
 
     CapturedVariable getVariable() { result = v }
   }

python/ql/lib/semmle/python/dataflow/old/Implementation.qll

@@ -448,8 +448,7 @@ class TaintTrackingImplementation extends string instanceof TaintTracking::Confi
       context = TNoParam() and
       src = TTaintTrackingNode_(retval, TNoParam(), path, kind, this) and
       node.asCfgNode() = call and
-      retval.asCfgNode() =
-        any(Return ret | ret.getScope() = pyfunc.getScope()).getValue().getAFlowNode()
+      retval.asCfgNode().getNode() = any(Return ret | ret.getScope() = pyfunc.getScope()).getValue()
     ) and
     edgeLabel = "return"
   }
@@ -471,8 +470,7 @@ class TaintTrackingImplementation extends string instanceof TaintTracking::Confi
       this.callContexts(call, src, pyfunc, context, callee) and
       retnode = TTaintTrackingNode_(retval, callee, path, kind, this) and
       node.asCfgNode() = call and
-      retval.asCfgNode() =
-        any(Return ret | ret.getScope() = pyfunc.getScope()).getValue().getAFlowNode()
+      retval.asCfgNode().getNode() = any(Return ret | ret.getScope() = pyfunc.getScope()).getValue()
     ) and
     edgeLabel = "call"
   }
@@ -716,8 +714,10 @@ private class EssaTaintTracking extends string instanceof TaintTracking::Configu
       src = TTaintTrackingNode_(srcnode, context, path, srckind, this) and
       path.noAttribute()
     |
-      assign.getValue().getAFlowNode() = srcnode.asCfgNode() and
-      depth = iterable_unpacking_descent(assign.getATarget().getAFlowNode(), defn.getDefiningNode()) and
+      srcnode.asCfgNode().getNode() = assign.getValue() and
+      exists(SequenceNode left_parent | left_parent.getNode() = assign.getATarget() |
+        depth = iterable_unpacking_descent(left_parent, defn.getDefiningNode())
+      ) and
       kind = taint_at_depth(srckind, depth)
     )
   }
@@ -964,7 +964,7 @@ private TaintKind taint_at_depth(SequenceKind parent_kind, int depth) {
  * - with `left_defn` = `*y`, `left_parent` = `((x, *y), ...)`, result = 1
  */
 int iterable_unpacking_descent(SequenceNode left_parent, ControlFlowNode left_defn) {
-  exists(Assign a | a.getATarget().getASubExpression*().getAFlowNode() = left_parent) and
+  exists(Assign a | left_parent.getNode() = a.getATarget().getASubExpression*()) and
   left_parent.getAnElement() = left_defn and
   // Handle `a, *b = some_iterable`
   if left_defn instanceof StarredNode then result = 0 else result = 1

python/ql/lib/semmle/python/essa/SsaDefinitions.qll

@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ module SsaSource {
   predicate with_definition(Variable v, ControlFlowNode defn) {
     exists(With with, Name var |
       with.getOptionalVars() = var and
-      var.getAFlowNode() = defn
+      defn.getNode() = var
     |
       var = v.getAStore()
     )
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ module SsaSource {
   predicate pattern_capture_definition(Variable v, ControlFlowNode defn) {
     exists(MatchCapturePattern capture, Name var |
       capture.getVariable() = var and
-      var.getAFlowNode() = defn
+      defn.getNode() = var
     |
       var = v.getAStore()
     )
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ module SsaSource {
   predicate pattern_alias_definition(Variable v, ControlFlowNode defn) {
     exists(MatchAsPattern pattern, Name var |
       pattern.getAlias() = var and
-      var.getAFlowNode() = defn
+      defn.getNode() = var
     |
       var = v.getAStore()
     )

python/ql/lib/semmle/python/frameworks/Bottle.qll

@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ module Bottle {
 
         override Parameter getARoutedParameter() { none() }
 
-        override Function getARequestHandler() { result.getADecorator().getAFlowNode() = node }
+        override Function getARequestHandler() { node.getNode() = result.getADecorator() }
       }
     }
 

python/ql/lib/semmle/python/frameworks/FastApi.qll

@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ module FastApi {
       result in [this.getArg(0), this.getArgByName("path")]
     }
 
-    override Function getARequestHandler() { result.getADecorator().getAFlowNode() = node }
+    override Function getARequestHandler() { node.getNode() = result.getADecorator() }
 
     override string getFramework() { result = "FastAPI" }
 

python/ql/lib/semmle/python/frameworks/Flask.qll

@@ -371,7 +371,7 @@ module Flask {
       result in [this.getArg(0), this.getArgByName("rule")]
     }
 
-    override Function getARequestHandler() { result.getADecorator().getAFlowNode() = node }
+    override Function getARequestHandler() { node.getNode() = result.getADecorator() }
   }
 
   /**
@@ -536,7 +536,7 @@ module Flask {
     FlaskRouteHandlerReturn() {
       exists(Function routeHandler |
         routeHandler = any(FlaskRouteSetup rs).getARequestHandler() and
-        node = routeHandler.getAReturnValueFlowNode() and
+        exists(Return ret | ret.getScope() = routeHandler and node.getNode() = ret.getValue()) and
         not this instanceof Flask::Response::InstanceSource
       )
     }

python/ql/lib/semmle/python/frameworks/FlaskAdmin.qll

@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ private module FlaskAdmin {
       result in [this.getArg(0), this.getArgByName("url")]
     }
 
-    override Function getARequestHandler() { result.getADecorator().getAFlowNode() = node }
+    override Function getARequestHandler() { node.getNode() = result.getADecorator() }
   }
 
   /**
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ private module FlaskAdmin {
 
     override Function getARequestHandler() {
       exists(Flask::FlaskViewClass cls |
-        cls.getADecorator().getAFlowNode() = node and
+        node.getNode() = cls.getADecorator() and
         result = cls.getARequestHandler()
       )
     }

python/ql/lib/semmle/python/internal/CachedStages.qll

@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ module Stages {
       or
       exists(any(AstExtended::AstNode n).getParentNode())
       or
-      exists(any(AstExtended::AstNode n).getAFlowNode())
+      exists(PyFlow::ControlFlowNode cfg, AstExtended::AstNode n | cfg.getNode() = n)
       or
       exists(any(PyFlow::BasicBlock b).getImmediateDominator())
       or

python/ql/lib/semmle/python/objects/Callables.qll

@@ -56,8 +56,9 @@ abstract class CallableObjectInternal extends ObjectInternal {
 /** A Python function. */
 class PythonFunctionObjectInternal extends CallableObjectInternal, TPythonFunctionObject {
   override Function getScope() {
-    exists(CallableExpr expr |
-      this = TPythonFunctionObject(expr.getAFlowNode()) and
+    exists(CallableExpr expr, ControlFlowNode exprCfg |
+      exprCfg.getNode() = expr and
+      this = TPythonFunctionObject(exprCfg) and
       result = expr.getInnerScope()
     )
   }
@@ -160,10 +161,11 @@ class PythonFunctionObjectInternal extends CallableObjectInternal, TPythonFuncti
 }
 
 private BasicBlock blockReturningNone(Function func) {
-  exists(Return ret |
+  exists(Return ret, ControlFlowNode ret_ |
     not exists(ret.getValue()) and
     ret.getScope() = func and
-    result = ret.getAFlowNode().getBasicBlock()
+    ret_.getNode() = ret and
+    result = ret_.getBasicBlock()
   )
 }
 

python/ql/lib/semmle/python/objects/Classes.qll

@@ -113,8 +113,9 @@ abstract class ClassObjectInternal extends ObjectInternal {
 class PythonClassObjectInternal extends ClassObjectInternal, TPythonClassObject {
   /** Gets the scope for this Python class */
   Class getScope() {
-    exists(ClassExpr expr |
-      this = TPythonClassObject(expr.getAFlowNode()) and
+    exists(ClassExpr expr, ControlFlowNode exprCfg |
+      exprCfg.getNode() = expr and
+      this = TPythonClassObject(exprCfg) and
       result = expr.getInnerScope()
     )
   }

python/ql/lib/semmle/python/objects/TObject.qll

@@ -387,7 +387,7 @@ private PythonClassObjectInternal abcMetaClassObject() {
 private predicate neither_class_nor_static_method(Function f) {
   not exists(f.getADecorator())
   or
-  exists(ControlFlowNode deco | deco = f.getADecorator().getAFlowNode() |
+  exists(ControlFlowNode deco | deco.getNode() = f.getADecorator() |
     exists(ObjectInternal o | PointsToInternal::pointsTo(deco, _, o, _) |
       o != ObjectInternal::staticMethod() and
       o != ObjectInternal::classMethod()

python/ql/lib/semmle/python/pointsto/PointsTo.qll

@@ -711,7 +711,7 @@ private module InterModulePointsTo {
     ControlFlowNode f, PointsToContext context, ObjectInternal value, ControlFlowNode origin
   ) {
     exists(string name, ImportExpr i |
-      i.getAFlowNode() = f and
+      f.getNode() = i and
       i.getImportedModuleName() = name and
       PointsToInternal::module_imported_as(value, name) and
       origin = f and
@@ -2118,8 +2118,9 @@ module Types {
     result.getBuiltin() = cls.getBuiltin().getBaseClass() and n = 0
     or
     exists(Class pycls | pycls = cls.(PythonClassObjectInternal).getScope() |
-      exists(ObjectInternal base |
-        PointsToInternal::pointsTo(pycls.getBase(n).getAFlowNode(), _, base, _)
+      exists(ObjectInternal base, ControlFlowNode baseNode |
+        baseNode.getNode() = pycls.getBase(n) and
+        PointsToInternal::pointsTo(baseNode, _, base, _)
       |
         result = base and base != ObjectInternal::unknown()
         or
@@ -2223,7 +2224,10 @@ module Types {
   }
 
   private ControlFlowNode decorator_call_callee(PythonClassObjectInternal cls) {
-    result = cls.getScope().getADecorator().getAFlowNode().(CallNode).getFunction()
+    exists(CallNode deco |
+      deco.getNode() = cls.getScope().getADecorator() and
+      result = deco.getFunction()
+    )
   }
 
   private boolean has_six_add_metaclass(PythonClassObjectInternal cls) {
@@ -2262,7 +2266,7 @@ module Types {
   }
 
   private EssaVariable metaclass_var(Class cls) {
-    result.getASourceUse() = cls.getMetaClass().getAFlowNode()
+    result.getASourceUse().getNode() = cls.getMetaClass()
     or
     major_version() = 2 and
     not exists(cls.getMetaClass()) and

python/ql/lib/semmle/python/types/ClassObject.qll

@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ class ClassObject extends Object {
     )
   }
 
-  ControlFlowNode declaredMetaClass() { result = this.getPyClass().getMetaClass().getAFlowNode() }
+  ControlFlowNode declaredMetaClass() { result.getNode() = this.getPyClass().getMetaClass() }
 
   /** Has type inference failed to compute the full class hierarchy for this class for the reason given. */
   predicate failedInference(string reason) { Types::failedInference(this.theClass(), reason) }
@@ -195,8 +195,9 @@ class ClassObject extends Object {
    * It is guaranteed that getProbableSingletonInstance() returns at most one Object for each ClassObject.
    */
   Object getProbableSingletonInstance() {
-    exists(ControlFlowNodeWithPointsTo use, Expr origin |
-      use.refersTo(result, this, origin.getAFlowNode())
+    exists(ControlFlowNodeWithPointsTo use, Expr origin, ControlFlowNode origin_ |
+      origin_.getNode() = origin and
+      use.refersTo(result, this, origin_)
     |
       this.hasStaticallyUniqueInstance() and
       /* Ensure that original expression will be executed only one. */

python/ql/lib/semmle/python/types/Exceptions.qll

@@ -427,7 +427,7 @@ class ExceptFlowNodeWithPointsTo extends ExceptFlowNode {
 }
 
 private ControlFlowNodeWithPointsTo element_from_tuple_objectapi(Object tuple) {
-  exists(Tuple t | t = tuple.getOrigin() and result = t.getAnElt().getAFlowNode())
+  exists(Tuple t | t = tuple.getOrigin() and result.getNode() = t.getAnElt())
 }
 
 /**

python/ql/lib/semmle/python/types/Extensions.qll

@@ -36,8 +36,8 @@ class RangeIterationVariableFact extends PointsToExtension {
   RangeIterationVariableFact() {
     exists(For f, ControlFlowNode iterable |
       iterable.getBasicBlock().dominates(this.(ControlFlowNode).getBasicBlock()) and
-      f.getIter().getAFlowNode() = iterable and
-      f.getTarget().getAFlowNode() = this and
+      iterable.getNode() = f.getIter() and
+      this.(ControlFlowNode).getNode() = f.getTarget() and
       exists(ObjectInternal range |
         PointsTo::pointsTo(iterable, _, range, _) and
         range.getClass() = ObjectInternal::builtin("range")

python/ql/lib/semmle/python/types/FunctionObject.qll

@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ class PyFunctionObject extends FunctionObject {
   predicate unconditionallyReturnsParameter(int n) {
     exists(SsaVariable pvar |
       exists(Parameter p | p = this.getFunction().getArg(n) |
-        p.asName().getAFlowNode() = pvar.getDefinition()
+        pvar.getDefinition().getNode() = p.asName()
       ) and
       exists(NameNode rval |
         rval = pvar.getAUse() and

python/ql/lib/semmle/python/types/Object.qll

@@ -337,7 +337,7 @@ class TupleObject extends SequenceObject {
     or
     this instanceof TupleNode
     or
-    exists(Function func | func.getVararg().getAFlowNode() = this)
+    exists(Function func | this.(ControlFlowNode).getNode() = func.getVararg())
   }
 }
 
@@ -352,7 +352,9 @@ module TupleObject {
 }
 
 class NonEmptyTupleObject extends TupleObject {
-  NonEmptyTupleObject() { exists(Function func | func.getVararg().getAFlowNode() = this) }
+  NonEmptyTupleObject() {
+    exists(Function func | this.(ControlFlowNode).getNode() = func.getVararg())
+  }
 
   override boolean booleanValue() { result = true }
 }