edge-computing

# Edge Computing

Comprehensive guide to edge computing architecture - running compute closer to users for lower latency and better performance.

## When to Use This Skill

- Designing edge function architectures
- Deciding where to place compute (edge vs origin)
- Implementing serverless at edge
- Understanding edge platform capabilities
- Optimizing latency-sensitive applications
- Building globally distributed applications

## Edge Computing Fundamentals

### What is Edge Computing?

```text
Compute Placement Spectrum:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                                                             │
│  User Device    Edge     Regional    Central    Origin     │
│  (Client)       (CDN)    (Cloud)     (Cloud)    (Cloud)    │
│                                                             │
│     ◄──────────────────────────────────────────────────►   │
│                                                             │
│  Lowest         ┌─────────────────────────────┐  Highest   │
│  Latency        │      EDGE COMPUTING         │  Latency   │
│                 │  (This skill's focus)       │            │
│                 └─────────────────────────────┘            │
│                                                             │
│  Limited        ◄─────────────────────────────►  Full      │
│  Resources                                       Resources  │
│                                                             │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Edge = Running code on CDN/network edge servers (100s of locations)
vs Regional = Running in a few cloud regions (10-20 locations)
vs Origin = Running in one primary location (1-3 locations)
```

### Edge vs Serverless vs Traditional

```text
Comparison:

                    Edge Functions    Cloud Functions    Containers/VMs
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Locations           100-300+          10-20