In an embodiment, an improved computer-implemented method of efficiently determining actions to perform based on data from a streaming continuous queries in a distributed computer system comprises, at a central control computer, receiving a streaming continuous query and a rule-set; wherein the rule-set comprises decision data representing decisions based on attributes produced by the query, and action data representing end actions based on the decisions, wherein the attributes comprise data processed by one or more networked computers; separating the streaming continuous query into a sub-query executable at one or more edge computers; categorizing end actions from the set based on decisions requiring attributes available from the sub-query into a set of one or more edge expressions that are configured to be evaluated at an edge agent to cause an action; providing the set of edge expressions and the sub-query to at least one edge computer with instructions to process visible attributes on the edge computer and to evaluate the set of one or more edge expressions independently from the central control computer; wherein the method is performed by one or more computing devices.