WebAssemblyä

WebAssembly, often abbreviated as Wasm, is a binary instruction format for a stack-based virtual machine. It is designed as a portable compilation target for programming languages, enabling deployment on the web for client and server applications. Wasm is not intended to be written directly by humans but is designed to be compiled from high-level languages like C, C++, and Rust.

The primary goal of WebAssembly is to provide a way to run code written in other languages on the web at near-native speeds. This is achieved by its compact binary format, which is faster to download and parse than equivalent JavaScript code. WebAssembly modules can be loaded and executed by web browsers alongside JavaScript, allowing for a mix of both technologies.

Key features of WebAssembly include its sandboxed execution environment, which enhances security by preventing malicious code from accessing system resources. It is designed to be memory-safe and platform-independent, meaning code compiled to Wasm should run consistently across different operating systems and hardware. WebAssembly also supports garbage collection and threading, enabling more complex applications.

While initially focused on the web, WebAssembly's use cases have expanded beyond the browser. It is now being used in server-side environments, edge computing, and even as a plugin system for various applications due to its speed, security, and portability. The ongoing development of WebAssembly aims to further enhance its capabilities and broaden its adoption across different computing platforms.