Preface

This book introduces readers to WebAssembly, a new and exciting technology capable of executing languages other than JavaScript in the browser. The book describes how to build a C/JavaScript application from scratch that uses WebAssembly and the process for porting an existing C++ code base to run in the browser with the help of Emscripten.

WebAssembly represents an important shift for the web platform. As a compilation target for languages such as C, C++, and Rust, it provides the ability to build a new class of application. WebAssembly is supported by all of the major browser vendors and represents a collaborative effort.

In this book, we'll describe the elements that make up WebAssembly, as well as its origins. We'll walk through the process of installing the required tools, setting up a development environment, and interacting with WebAssembly. We'll work through simple examples and progress through increasingly advanced use cases. By the end of this book, you'll be well-equipped to use WebAssembly in your C, C++, or JavaScript project.