What/how exactly should I use functions?

[potent jay]

I want to make a real-time leaderboard and want to reset it daily. I wanted to know if I could handle that with Appwrite cloud's functions. If not, how could I solve this with (or maybe without?) appwrite?

I'm a bit confused on what to use functions for, is it solely to separate the backend of the website from the real backend where bigger and more fine-grained and specific processes run? Since I'm using node for the frontend, website backend (api routes) AND appwrite functions, I sometimes can't decide if something should be on appwrite functions or the api route in the backend of the website. Thank you!

[tidal brook]

Appwrite Functions are used for any sort of custom logic you need

[tidal brook]

Most people don't use node. Node typically acts as a server...but Appwrite is able to replace your server. So, people typically just focus on writing their front end app. And since they don't have a server like node, they can use Appwrite functions for any custom logic

[potent jay]

But aren't many modern front end frameworks just running on node?

Hmm maybe I want users to submit doodles and want to check for possible inappropriate content, would it be more advisable to run the OCR / profanity check on Appwrite functions instead of the node backend?

[tidal brook]

the simplest common form is just static HTML, CSS, and JS. There are a lot of frameworks now that do server side rendering, but i think that stuff just complicates things

[tidal brook]

yes, that could be a use case for functions