How does Fastly compare to shell scripts?

Fastly is a powerful content delivery network (CDN) that provides real-time image optimization, strong caching capabilities, and near-instantaneous content delivery across the globe. In comparison, shell scripts are lightweight programs written for the command line interface to automate tasks directly on a server. While shell scripts excel at system tasks such as file manipulation, process management, and automating repetitive tasks on a single server, Fastly brings a broader focus on performance and optimization at scale, enabling applications to deliver content faster and more reliably.

Whereas shell scripts require a command line environment and are mainly limited to server-side operations, Fastly is a cloud-based solution designed to improve user experience by reducing latency through caching and providing features like real-time logging, instant purging, and edge computing functionalities.

In summary, Fastly offers a higher-level abstraction focused on delivering content more efficiently over a distributed network, while shell scripts focus on specific server-side tasks and automation.