WebAssembly – Introduction to Wasm for Beginners

What is WebAssembly? 

WebAssembly often called Wasm is a programming language in which instructions are in a binary format that runs code very quickly in web browsers. Developers use it to make code in languages like C, C++ or Rust work on the web. WebAssembly changes code into a binary form that browsers read making it quicker and more effective than JavaScript for some jobs.

Why WebAssembly? Understanding Its Motivation

WebAssembly was developed to enable high-performance applications on websites. While JavaScript works well for everyday scripts, it often struggles with heavy tasks such as games, video editing or scientific calculations. WebAssembly addresses these limitations by using code written in languages such as C, C++ or Rust to run in the browser almost like desktop applications. Unlike JavaScript, which the browser reads and interprets line by line, WebAssembly compiles code into a compact binary format that the browser can execute directly. This allows developers to create more detailed, resource-intensive and sophisticated web applications – without compromising on speed, efficiency or functionality.

WebAssembly vs. JavaScript: Key Differences Explained

Although both WebAssembly and JavaScript run in web browsers, they serve different purposes and offer unique advantages. JavaScript, an interpreted high-level language, excels in flexibility and ease of use but often struggles with computationally intensive tasks. In contrast, WebAssembly, a low-level binary format, delivers near-native speed and is specifically optimized for performance. Developers typically use WebAssembly alongside JavaScript, combining their strengths to create more efficient and dynamic web experiences. Key differences include:

• Performance: WebAssembly executes computationally intensive tasks faster than JavaScript.
  
• Language support: JavaScript supports dynamic high-level scripting, while WebAssembly works with lower-level languages.
  
• Interoperability: WebAssembly seamlessly integrates with JavaScript, enhancing its capabilities without replacing it.