Describe the feature

I've noticed you can't encode a Processing Pattern if there's no ingredients in the grid.

This constraint makes sense in most cases. However, I have found a couple of situations where a process doesn't need anything.

Am I on the right track with this idea, or is there good reason why this isn't a feature?

The easy workaround is just requiring some basic block or item (such as cobblestone) and re-importing it back into the network.

Reasons why it should be considered

One situation is automating Certus Quartz with Flawless Budding blocks. There's no ingredients, you only need a Level Emitter to switch off the subnet when enough crystals have been harvested to satisfy the crafting job.

I guess this applies to any sort of self-sufficient farm. The subnet (or whatever mod) responsible for the process may replant seeds or breed animals, and not need anything.

Additional details

This is already implemented. You can put a redstone card in a level emitter, and configure it to the "emit signal to craft" mode. The system will consider that you have an unlimited amount of that resource and just emit redstone to request it when autocrafting. 😉