WASM - The Future of Cloud Computing

Jonas Hultenius

2023-09-29

Cloud computing has transformed the way we store, process, and access data. It has provided businesses and individuals with scalable and cost-effective solutions for their computing needs. However, as technology evolves and demands grow, there is a need for more efficient and powerful computing platforms.

Enter WebAssembly (WASM), a game-changing technology that promises to shape the future of cloud computing and transform the IT landscape as a whole.

Let’s start off with a quick reminder.

WebAssembly is an open standard developed by a consortium of major technology companies, including Mozilla, Google, Microsoft, and Apple. It is a binary instruction format that allows code to be executed at near-native speed in a browser. Unlike traditional web technologies like JavaScript, which are interpreted by the browser, WebAssembly allows for the compilation of code into a compact and efficient binary format. This opens up a new realm of possibilities for high-performance web applications.

With that out of the way what are the advantages?

Well, WebAssembly brings several advantages to the table, making it a compelling technology for cloud computing as well as most other corners of the wide and vast IT sector.

One of the key advantages of WebAssembly is its ability to deliver high-performance execution. By leveraging low-level instructions and running code directly on the hardware, WASM offers significant performance improvements over traditional web technologies. This makes it ideal for computationally intensive tasks, such as real-time data processing, scientific simulations, and gaming.

WASM is designed to be platform-independent, allowing it to run on any device or operating system that supports it. This eliminates the need for developers to write platform-specific code, reducing development time and effort. With WebAssembly, applications can run seamlessly across various platforms, including desktops, mobile devices, and even embedded systems.

WASM is not tied to any specific programming language. It can be generated from a variety of languages, including C, C++, Rust, and even high-level languages like Python and Go. This flexibility allows developers to leverage their existing codebases and choose the language that best suits their needs while still benefiting from the performance gains of WebAssembly.

Security is a top concern in cloud computing. WebAssembly provides an additional layer of security by running code in a sandboxed execution environment. This isolation prevents malicious code from accessing sensitive resources or compromising the integrity of the system. With WebAssembly, applications can be executed securely without compromising the overall system security.

These are the general benefits that are more or less applicable to any tech stack, product or use case. But what are the specific impact of WebAssembly on cloud computing?

WebAssembly’s unique characteristics have a significant impact on the field of cloud computing.

First of all, it brings us the thing we all stive for the most, improved application performance.

WASM performance benefits make it an attractive choice for cloud-based applications. By delivering near-native speed, applications can handle larger workloads, process data in real-time, and provide a seamless user experience. Web applications can now deliver rich, interactive experiences comparable to native applications.

Our solutions will be bare metal fast and written in the language of our choice and will be platform independent enabling us as developers to build applications that can run consistently on different operating systems and devices without any real insight into what those systems are. This simplifies the deployment process and ensures a seamless experience for users, regardless of their device or platform of choice.

Efficiency and performance optimizations have a direct correlation to significant cost savings in cloud computing. By reusing code and running applications more efficiently, organizations can reduce infrastructure costs, optimize resource utilization, and improve scalability. This makes cloud-based services more cost-effective and accessible to businesses of all sizes.

WebAssembly is set to revolutionize cloud computing by providing a high-performance, platform-independent, and language-agnostic environment for running applications. Its advantages in terms of performance, platform independence, language agnosticism, and enhanced security make it a compelling technology for the future of cloud computing.

As businesses and developers embrace WebAssembly, we can expect to see a more efficient, scalable, and cost-effective cloud infrastructure that empowers organizations to deliver exceptional experiences to their users.

Staying informed about the latest advancements in WebAssembly and exploring its potential for cloud computing needs is crucial for businesses looking to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

WebAssembly unlocks new possibilities and enables the development of advanced applications that leverage the full potential of the cloud. Embracing WebAssembly will position businesses to thrive in a future where cloud computing plays a central role in driving innovation and success.