Web Assembly vs Native Code: Which is Better?

What are the main differences between Web Assembly and native code?

Web Assembly (Wasm) is a binary instruction format that runs in web browsers, while native code is compiled for specific hardware. Wasm is designed for portability and performance in web applications, whereas native code is optimized for the operating system and hardware it runs on.

Which one is faster, Web Assembly or native code?

Native code is generally faster because it is optimized for the specific hardware. However, Web Assembly is designed to be close to native performance, making it quite efficient for web applications.

Can I use Web Assembly for game development?

Yes, Web Assembly is increasingly used in game development, especially for web-based games, as it allows for high performance and portability across different platforms.

What are the advantages of using Web Assembly over native code?

Some advantages of Web Assembly include cross-platform compatibility, faster load times in web applications, and the ability to run code securely in the browser sandbox.

Are there any limitations to using Web Assembly?

Yes, limitations include a smaller set of APIs compared to native code, potential performance overhead in certain scenarios, and the need for a compilation step from languages like C or C++.