WebAssembly (Wasm) is a low-level binary instruction format that allows high-performance applications to run in browsers—at near-native speed. It opens the door for languages like C, C++, and Rust to compile and run on the web.

Why WebAssembly matters:

• Faster than JavaScript for CPU-heavy tasks.
• Enables desktop-class apps in the browser (e.g., games, video editors, simulations).
• Portable and secure execution in a sandboxed environment.

Key features:

• Language Agnostic: Write in C/C++, Rust, Go, and compile to Wasm.
• Runs in the browser via the same security model as JavaScript.
• Can be integrated with JavaScript and the DOM via JavaScript interop.

Use cases:

• Gaming engines (Unity, Unreal).
• Image, audio, or video processing.
• Scientific simulations.
• PDF viewers and Office-like applications.

Example workflow:

• Write a Rust function → Compile to .wasm → Load into the browser using JavaScript.

WebAssembly is still evolving but has strong backing from all major browsers. As tooling improves, Wasm could power the next generation of high-performance, cross-platform web apps.