Is 'edge' computing really faster?

⚡️ Edge computing enables faster web app performance by bringing the server closer to the user.

🌍 Traditional web app deployment relies on a single server located in a data center, causing latency for users far from the server location.

🔒 Frameworks like Cloudflare Workers and Vercell Edge Functions, along with Next.js version 12.2, offer the option to leverage edge computing for improved server-side rendering and API routes.

🌍 Edge computing allows servers to be distributed all around the world, improving performance for dynamic servers.

⚡️ Edge computing works like serverless functions but without cold starts, executing closer to end users.

💻 Modern full-stack frameworks like SvelteKit, Nuxt.js, and Next.js enable rendering on the edge.

⚡️ Edge computing is not always faster and can be significantly slower in certain situations.

🌍 Firebase cloud functions run on the Google Cloud Platform infrastructure, while Next.js code runs on Vercell's edge network.

📊 Firebase functions generally have a response time of around 150 milliseconds, but can experience longer response times due to cold starts.

🔍 Testing response times from servers around the world reveals differences between Firebase and Edge computing.

⏱️ Firebase shows faster response times in the United States, while Edge computing performs consistently fast globally.

🌍 The slower performance of Firebase in Europe, Japan, and Australia is attributed to the location of the hosting server.

🌍 Edge computing is faster overall compared to traditional cloud computing.

🗄️ However, when an edge function needs to query data from a distant database, the round trip time can be much longer.

🔥 Firebase has an advantage in data fetching because its data center is in the same location as the cloud function.

📊 Running tests on Vercell showed slower response times, especially when remote data fetching is involved.

🌍 Distributing the database globally can help improve performance by avoiding the latency caused by remote data fetching.

⚡ Next.js allows fine-tuning of performance by offering the option to use edge functions on specific routes and caching responses from functions.

⚡ Edge computing allows for caching responses, reducing round trips to the database.

🔥 Firebase cloud functions also offer caching on the edge, making them blazingly fast.

❄️ One limitation of Firebase functions is the cold start, but this can be mitigated by running a minimum number of instances at an additional cost.

✨ Edge computing can significantly reduce latency by processing data closer to the source.

⚡️ By utilizing edge computing, applications can achieve faster response times and improved user experiences.

🔒 Edge computing can enhance data security by reducing the need for data transfers to central cloud servers.