WebAssembly
WebAssembly (Wasm) is a binary instruction format for a stack-based virtual machine, designed as a portable compilation target for programming languages. It enables high-performance applications to run in web browsers and other environments, allowing code written in languages like C, C++, and Rust to execute at near-native speed. It is supported by all major browsers and can be used alongside JavaScript to enhance web application performance.
Developers should learn WebAssembly when building performance-critical web applications, such as games, video editing tools, or scientific simulations, where JavaScript alone may not suffice. It is also valuable for porting existing codebases written in languages like C++ to the web, enabling legacy applications to run in browsers without rewriting. Additionally, it supports server-side and edge computing use cases, providing a secure, sandboxed execution environment outside the browser.