The Edge: Hype vs. Reality

In this inaugural episode of Databased, Tom Redman speaks with Jamie Turner and James Cowling as they dive deep into the world of edge computing and its impact on modern web development.

Key Topics Discussed:

1. What is "the edge" in computing and why has it become a buzzword?
2. The evolution of edge computing from useful technology to overhyped solution
3. Physical limitations of distributed systems, including the speed of light
4. Challenges of maintaining data consistency across distributed locations
5. Use cases where edge computing makes sense vs. where it adds unnecessary complexity
6. The importance of co-locating compute with data for most applications
7. How platforms can leverage edge technology without burdening developers

Key Takeaways:

• Edge computing isn't inherently bad, but it's often not the right solution for most applications
• The laws of physics (speed of light) create fundamental limitations for distributed systems
• Co-locating compute with data often provides better performance than edge computing for data-intensive applications
• Developers should focus on building features quickly rather than prematurely optimizing with complex distributed systems
• Platforms should abstract away the complexities of edge computing, allowing developers to focus on building their applications