Hello, Brian,

the prototype function gives the objects created by using the nodeeditor a uniform interface for the processing. Same method names for the various
Knots. So every code of the node creates a type. Later by using the node editor you create objects of these types with a uniform interface of functions.
You can of course use the functions in basicFunctions.js and also create a basicFunctions2.js. You can also write your functions to the same file as your nodes.
For more frequently used functions, it makes sense to store them in a library.

Have a nice day
Karsten