Exploring WebAssembly (WASM)
Future WebAssembly in Cloud
Section Summary
In this lesson, we explore how WebAssembly (Wasm) is reshaping cloud computing by extending its capabilities well beyond the browser. You’ll discover:
- A deep dive into leading Wasm runtimes and their architectures
- Strategies for integrating Wasm with Docker, Kubernetes, and other cloud-native platforms
- Practical, hands-on examples of packaging and running Wasm modules inside Docker containers
- An overview of powerful frameworks like WasmCloud and the Fermyon Spin framework
Note
WebAssembly isn’t limited to client-side applications anymore. In cloud environments, Wasm delivers portability, security, and performance for microservices and serverless workloads.
By the end of this section, you’ll be equipped to deploy and manage WebAssembly functions alongside Docker and other CNCF-style tools, leveraging the most popular runtimes and frameworks driving the future of cloud-based Wasm.
Comparison of Popular WebAssembly Runtimes
| Runtime | Primary Use Case | Quick Start Command |
|---|---|---|
| Wasmtime | Serverless functions | wasmtime run hello.wasm |
| Wasmer | Cross-platform CLI tools | wasmer run app.wasm |
| WasmEdge | Edge computing & IoT | wasmedge run sensor.wasm |
| WAVM | High-performance workloads | wavm run analytics.wasm |
Links and References
- WebAssembly Official Site
- Docker Documentation
- Kubernetes Basics
- Fermyon Spin Framework
- WasmCloud Documentation
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