Binary format for the web
Classy New Build
© Lead Image © hasselblad15, photocase.com
The WebAssembly project makes a portable binary for browsers, with a focus on minimizing size and load time. C and C++ programs are used as source, which makes it possible to compile virtually any application for the web.
Relocating applications to the browser is not exactly an innovation. However, WebAssembly [1] has announced a format that intelligently combines the desktop and the web. The Emscripten SDK [2] plays a leading role by offering an LLVM-based compiler [3] that translates C and C++ programs to standard JavaScript, making extensive porting redundant and thus building a simple bridge to the web.
Figure 1 illustrates the relationship between the tools and toolchains involved and shows that WebAssembly not only supports applications in the browser, but locally executes programs, as well.
ASM Meets WASM
The Emscripten developers had originally set their sights on asm.js [6], a optimizable, low-level subset of JavaScript. Nowadays, the SDK is also used for WebAssembly. WebAssembly and asm.js have quite similar ideas and goals, and some developers are involved in both projects; however, the asm.js and WebAssembly designs differ significantly.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
openSUSE Joins End of 10
openSUSE has decided to not only join the End of 10 movement but it also will no longer support the Deepin Desktop Environment.
-
New Version of Flatpak Released
Flatpak 1.16.1 is now available as the latest, stable version with various improvements.
-
IBM Announces Powerhouse Linux Server
IBM has unleashed a seriously powerful Linux server with the LinuxONE Emperor 5.
-
Plasma Ends LTS Releases
The KDE Plasma development team is doing away with the LTS releases for a good reason.
-
Arch Linux Available for Windows Subsystem for Linux
If you've ever wanted to use a rolling release distribution with WSL, now's your chance.
-
System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 7
With scores of bug fixes and a really cool workspaces feature, COSMIC is looking to soon migrate from alpha to beta.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.