WebAssembly (also known as wasm) is a binary format of executable code that can be run in a web browser. First proposed in 2015 and supported by organizations such as Mozilla, Google, Microsoft, and Apple, WebAssembly provides a new opportunity for optimizing web applications and improving their performance.
One of the main advantages of WebAssembly is its execution speed. Since wasm code is compiled into a binary format, it can be executed much faster than JavaScript code, which is commonly used to power web applications. Additionally, WebAssembly also enables the use of native functions in web applications, further enhancing their performance.
WebAssembly also boasts high portability, meaning that wasm code can run on different platforms and devices, including computers, smartphones, and tablets. This makes it an ideal tool for developing cross-platform applications that can be launched in any modern browser without any additional actions from the user.
One of the most interesting applications of WebAssembly is its use in the game development industry. Thanks to its high performance, WebAssembly allows for the creation of more complex and realistic web games that can be played right in the browser. This opens up new possibilities for developers and enables them to create high-level games for both desktop computers and mobile devices.
WebAssembly can also be used to create other types of web applications, such as image processing tools, audio editors, video players, and much more. Thanks to its high performance, WebAssembly enables working with large amounts of data and performing complex operations in real time.
However, like any new tool, WebAssembly is not without its drawbacks. For example, cross-language calls can be significantly slower than regular function calls in JavaScript. Additionally, WebAssembly only supports a limited set of data types, which can be a problem for certain types of applications.
Overall, WebAssembly is a powerful tool for optimizing web applications and improving their performance. It enhances code execution speed and allows for the use of native functions in web applications. Thanks to its portability, WebAssembly can be run on various platforms and devices. And while it has some drawbacks, its advantages outweigh them significantly and help create more powerful and performant web applications.