How WebAssembly Can Enable Cross-Platform and Portable Applications

In today’s digital landscape, the demand for cross-platform applications is always present. We tend to come back to it every few years even and over the years there have been many contenders to be the solution to make it happen for real this time.

And this ever-present demand is there for a reason.

Users expect seamless experiences across different devices and operating systems, and developers strive to deliver applications that can run anywhere. This is where WebAssembly (Wasm) comes into play (the latest contender to save us).

So, let’s explore how WebAssembly enables the creation of cross-platform and portable applications and will, hopefully, revolutionizing the way we build and deploy software going forward.

But first, what is WebAssembly?

WebAssembly is a binary instruction format designed for the web. It allows developers to run high-performance code in web browsers at near-native speeds. WebAssembly (abbreviated Wasm) is not tied to any specific programming language or platform, making it a versatile solution for building applications that can run on various operating systems and devices.

I just mentioned it, but I would say that one of the key advantages of Wasm is its language-agnostic nature. Developers can write code in languages like C++, Rust, and TypeScript, and compile it to Wasm. This opens up a world of possibilities, allowing developers to leverage their existing skills and reuse code across different platforms. This is great news for anyone that wants to stick to their guns and not change horse’s mid race.

Wasm is designed to be platform independent. It can run on different operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and even mobile platforms like iOS and Android. This means developers can write code once and deploy it across multiple platforms, saving time and effort. Not to mention the peace of mind of not having to worry over cross platform interoperability.

WebAssembly’s low-level binary format and efficient execution model ensure consistent performance across different platforms. Whether running on a high-end desktop or a resource-constrained mobile device, the performance of WebAssembly applications remains impressive.

One struggle that other cross platform solutions have to solve is the access to native APIs. This has been taken to consideration from square one. WebAssembly allows applications to access native APIs through JavaScript bindings. This means developers can leverage platform-specific capabilities and interact with device features like cameras, sensors, and geolocation, providing a rich and integrated user experience.

Another huge benefit is that Wasm is largely eliminating the need for platform-specific code. Traditionally, developing cross-platform applications required writing platform-specific code or using frameworks like React Native or Xamarin. With WebAssembly, developers can write code in their preferred language and compile it to a single binary format that can be executed on any platform with WebAssembly support. This eliminates the need for platform-specific code, simplifying the development process.

WebAssembly enables code reusability across platforms. Developers can encapsulate complex functionalities in WebAssembly modules and reuse them across different applications or projects. This not only saves development time but also ensures consistent behavior and performance across applications.

WebAssembly’s portability extends beyond web browsers. It can be used in server-side environments, allowing developers to build applications that can run on both the client and the server using the same codebase. This simplifies deployment and maintenance, as the same code can be executed in different environments.

This all sounds great but what are the use cases for cross-platform and portable applications?

First to come to mind would be desktop applications.

WebAssembly enables the development of cross-platform desktop applications that can run on Windows, macOS, and Linux without the need for platform-specific code. Developers can create powerful and efficient applications, such as video editors, design tools, and data analysis software, that work seamlessly on different operating systems.

Going beyond the desktop mobile is the perfect candidate. WebAssembly opens up possibilities for cross-platform mobile application development. With frameworks like React Native and Flutter integrating WebAssembly support, developers can leverage their existing web development skills to create high-performance mobile applications that can run on both iOS and Android devices.

There are even some interesting possibilities in gaming. WebAssembly’s performance capabilities make it an excellent choice for game development. By compiling game engines and libraries to WebAssembly, developers can create cross-platform games that can be played in web browsers or deployed as standalone applications on various platforms.

Lastly, even IoT (Internet of Things) can join in on the fun as WebAssembly’s lightweight footprint makes it suitable for resource-constrained devices. By running WebAssembly on microcontrollers or embedded systems, developers can build portable applications for smart devices, home automation, and industrial IoT solutions.

While WebAssembly offers significant advantages for cross-platform and portable applications, there are a few challenges and considerations to keep in mind.

Working with WebAssembly requires a different development workflow compared to traditional web development. Developers need to set up toolchains for compiling and optimizing code, which may have a learning curve initially. I would even say that this curve could be seen as steep but luckily there are several tools available that gets you and your team up and running in no time at all.

Many people praise WebAssembly for its good security as it executes code in a sandboxed environment, but it’s essential to consider security implications when accessing native APIs or interacting with sensitive data. Developers should follow security best practices and conduct thorough testing to ensure the integrity and safety of their applications.

Although Wasm enjoys broad browser support, some older browsers may not fully support the latest Wasm features. As developers we should consider the target audience and ensure that their applications work across a range of browsers and versions. And hope, that our end users have moved on from Internet Explorer.

WebAssembly has transformed the way we build cross-platform and portable applications. Its language-agnostic nature, platform independence, and performance benefits make it a compelling choice for developers looking to create applications that can run seamlessly on different devices and operating systems.

With WebAssembly, developers can leverage their existing skills, reuse code, and deliver consistent experiences to users across platforms. Whether it’s desktop applications, mobile apps, or IoT solutions, WebAssembly opens up a world of possibilities, allowing developers to build efficient, powerful, and portable applications for the modern digital landscape.

As WebAssembly continues to evolve and gain wider adoption, we can expect to see even more innovative use cases and advancements in the technology.

Embracing WebAssembly will enable developers to unlock new horizons in cross-platform development, making the dream of truly portable applications a reality.

So, if you’re looking to build applications that can run anywhere, WebAssembly is the future you should embrace. It’s time to harness its power and explore the endless possibilities of cross-platform and portable application development.