Exploring WebAssembly (WASM)

WebAssembly Core Concepts

Section Summary

In this lesson, you’ll gain a deep understanding of WebAssembly (Wasm) and its execution model. We start by examining Wasm’s design principles and runtime architecture, then dive into the structure and lifecycle of Wasm modules. From there, we break down the core building blocks:

ComponentPurpose
InstructionsLow-level operations for arithmetic, control flow, and memory access
Data TypesNative types (i32, i64, f32, f64) and reference types
MemoryLinear memory model, allocation strategies, and security limits
TablesFunction tables used for imports, exports, and indirect calls

Note

For an in-depth reference, consult the WebAssembly Core Specification.

The image lists objectives related to WebAssembly, including understanding its architecture and modules, and learning about instructions, data, memory, and table management.

After covering these components, we survey the WebAssembly ecosystem—toolchains, runtimes, debuggers, and popular libraries. A short quiz at the end will reinforce your learning and ensure you can:

  • Describe the Wasm execution model and module structure
  • Identify and use core Wasm instructions and data types
  • Manage linear memory and function tables
  • Navigate key tools and resources in the Wasm ecosystem

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WASM Tools and Ecosystem