Supportsoft Glossary

High-Performance Code for the Web

WebAssembly (Wasm) is a low-level web technology that provides a way to run high-performance web application code natively within web browsers. Unlike conventional web languages, WebAssembly allows developers to create web applications in programming languages such as C, C++, and Rust, which allows those applications to run nearly at the speed of the hardware on which they were written. This allows web applications that previously required high-performance desktop environments to be developed and run as full-featured web applications.

Wasm operates alongside JavaScript (JS) in the web development process, rather than replacing it. JS is responsible for handling user interface and event interactions, while Wasm handles all high-performance tasks that require intense computation, such as data processing, image/graphics rendering, scientific calculations, etc. This combination of JS and Wasm provides the best of both worlds: efficient processing via Wasm and flexibility with JS.

WebAssembly provides an opportunity to create new types of applications for the web. New possibilities for video editing, 3D rendering, gaming, engineering tools, and real-time simulations are now feasible thanks to WebAssembly. Additionally, with WebAssembly executing inside of the web browser in a sandboxed environment, this adds a layer of security by restricting what can be done by malicious users.

For developers and businesses, the introduction of WebAssembly creates new opportunities through enhanced web application performance, enhanced reach across platforms, and decreased dependence on having to install native applications to provide high-performance experiences directly within the web browser.