Where are functions executed as part of Puppet's catalog compilation process?

Functions in Puppet are executed on the Puppet master as part of the catalog compilation process. When a Puppet agent requests a configuration, it communicates with the Puppet master, which is responsible for compiling the catalog using the defined resources, classes, and functions specified in the Puppet code.

This design centralizes the computational workload on the Puppet master, allowing agents to remain lightweight and focused on applying the configurations they receive. The master evaluates all the necessary logic, including the execution of functions, to generate a complete catalog that the agent can apply to its local system.

Processing functions on the master allows for efficient resource management and consistent execution of code, as it ensures that all agents receive the same compiled catalog based on the latest definitions available on the master. This approach facilitates easier maintenance and updates to Puppet configurations without overloading the agents with computational tasks.