WebAssembly Actors: From Cloud to Edge from edX

This course is designed for developers who have built or are building microservices and have experienced a high degree of friction in cloud native application development. Developers looking to embrace the simplicity of Functions as a Service (FaaS) without the overhead of cloud providers or sacrificing the ability to experiment and test locally and in any other environment will gain significant value from this course.

In this course, you will learn foundational Rust skills such as creating and hosting WebAssembly modules. You will explore the JavaScript WebAssembly API for browsers and multiple alternative, non-web host runtimes for WebAssembly. You will become familiar with the benefits and usage of the actor model and gain the ability to easily create distributed, cloud native applications using secure WebAssembly modules as a deployment target by leveraging open source projects. You will also be able to differentiate between the features and functionality afforded by the base WebAssembly specification versus additional features added by community tooling and open source projects, and have a clear understanding of how WebAssembly-based applications really work.

After completing this course, you will be able to build portable, secure, lightweight WebAssembly modules that thrive in the cloud, at the edge, and anywhere in between.

What you'll learn

Build foundational Rust skills, such as creating and hosting WebAssembly modules.
Explore the JavaScript WebAssembly API for browsers.
Explore multiple alternative, non-web host runtimes for WebAssembly.
Become familiar with the benefits and usage of the actor model.
Gain the ability to easily create distributed, cloud-native applications using secure WebAssembly modules as a deployment target by leveraging open source projects.
Differentiate between the features and functionality afforded by the base WebAssembly specification versus additional features added by community tooling and open source projects.
Have a clear understanding of how WebAssembly-based applications really work.

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome!

Chapter 1. Creating WebAssembly Modules from Scratch

Chapter 2. Creating WebAssembly Modules with Rust

Chapter 3. Using WebAssembly Host Runtimes

Chapter 4. Advanced Guest and Host Communications

Chapter 5. WebAssembly and the Actor Model

Chapter 6. Advanced Actor and Capability Use Cases

Final Exam (Verified Certificate track only)

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches Rust, which is industry standard for systems programming

Taught by Kevin Hoffman, who is recognized for their work in WebAssembly

Develops skills in building portable and secure WebAssembly modules

Examines the actor model, which is relevant to cloud-native applications

Includes a final exam in the verified certificate track

This course requires students to have a foundational understanding of Rust

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in WebAssembly Actors: From Cloud to Edge with these activities:

Work through the Rust in Action practice drills

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Working through the Rust in Action practice drills will help you solidify your understanding of Rust, which is the language used to create WebAssembly modules. This will help you be more successful in this course.

Browse courses on Rust

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Purchase or borrow a copy of Rust in Action.
Complete the practice drills in each chapter.
Review the solutions to the practice drills to check your work.

Compile class notes from past semesters

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Reviewing class notes from past semesters will help you refresh your knowledge of WebAssembly modules, JavaScript WebAssembly API, Rust, and WebAssembly. This will help you be better prepared for this course.

Browse courses on Rust

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Gather your class notes from past semesters covering similar topics.
Review the notes and identify areas where you need to brush up.
Create a study plan to address the areas where you need to improve.

Follow the WebAssembly.org tutorials

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The WebAssembly.org tutorials are a great way to learn about WebAssembly. Following these tutorials will help you be more successful in this course.

Browse courses on WebAssembly

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Visit the WebAssembly.org website and find the tutorials section.
Choose a tutorial that you are interested in.
Follow the instructions in the tutorial.

Five other activities

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Join a study group with other students in this course

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Joining a study group with other students in this course will help you learn from each other and improve your understanding of the material. This will help you be more successful in this course.

Browse courses on WebAssembly

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Find other students in this course who are interested in forming a study group.
Meet regularly to discuss the material and work on practice problems.

Create a Rust-based WebAssembly module that does something useful

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Creating a Rust-based WebAssembly module that does something useful will help you apply your knowledge of Rust and WebAssembly. This will help you be more successful in this course and your career.

Browse courses on Rust

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Choose a project that you want to create.
Create a new Rust project and add the necessary dependencies.
Write the code for your WebAssembly module.
Build and test your WebAssembly module.

Participate in a WebAssembly coding competition

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Participating in a WebAssembly coding competition will help you test your skills and knowledge of WebAssembly. This will help you be more successful in this course and your career.

Browse courses on WebAssembly

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Find a WebAssembly coding competition that you are interested in.
Register for the competition and create a team.
Prepare for the competition by practicing your WebAssembly skills.
Compete in the competition and try to win prizes.

Create a blog or website about WebAssembly

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Creating a blog or website about WebAssembly will help you deepen your understanding of the topic and improve your communication skills. This will help you be more successful in this course and your career.

Browse courses on WebAssembly

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Choose a topic related to WebAssembly that you are passionate about.
Create a blog or website and publish regular articles on the topic.
Promote your blog or website through social media and other channels.

Volunteer to help with a WebAssembly project

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Volunteering to help with a WebAssembly project will give you hands-on experience and help you network with other people in the field. This will help you be more successful in this course and your career.

Browse courses on WebAssembly

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Find a WebAssembly project that you are interested in.
Contact the project leader and offer your help.
Work on the project and contribute to its success.

Career center

Learners who complete WebAssembly Actors: From Cloud to Edge will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to solve problems and make predictions. They work on a variety of projects, from developing new products to improving existing ones. This course may be useful for Data Scientists who want to learn more about WebAssembly and how it can be used to build cloud-native applications. This course can help Data Scientists build a foundation in WebAssembly, which can help them to develop more efficient and scalable data-driven applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Machine Learning Engineer

Machine Learning Engineers develop and deploy machine learning models. They work on a variety of projects, from developing new machine learning algorithms to improving existing ones. This course may be useful for Machine Learning Engineers who want to learn more about WebAssembly and how it can be used to build cloud-native applications. This course can help Machine Learning Engineers build a foundation in WebAssembly, which can help them to develop more efficient and scalable machine learning applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Machine Learning Engineer

Business Analyst

Business Analysts analyze business processes and systems to identify opportunities for improvement. They work with stakeholders to understand their business needs and then develop and implement solutions that meet those needs. This course may be useful for Business Analysts who want to learn more about WebAssembly and how it can be used to build cloud-native applications. This course can help Business Analysts build a foundation in WebAssembly, which can help them to develop and implement more efficient and scalable business solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software systems. They work on a variety of projects, from small personal projects to large enterprise systems. This course may be useful for Software Engineers who want to learn more about WebAssembly and how it can be used to build cloud-native applications. This course can help Software Engineers build a foundation in WebAssembly, which can help them to design and build more efficient and scalable software systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Database Administrator

Database Administrators manage and maintain databases. They work to ensure that databases are running smoothly and that they are secure from unauthorized access and attacks. This course may be useful for Database Administrators who want to learn more about WebAssembly and how it can be used to build cloud-native applications. This course can help Database Administrators build a foundation in WebAssembly, which can help them to manage and maintain more efficient and scalable databases.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Web Developer

Web Developers design and develop websites and web applications. They work on a variety of projects, from small personal websites to large enterprise web applications. This course may be useful for Web Developers who want to learn more about WebAssembly and how it can be used to build cloud-native applications. This course can help Web Developers build a foundation in WebAssembly, which can help them to design and build more efficient and scalable web applications.

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Product Manager

Product Managers manage the development and marketing of products. They work with customers and stakeholders to understand their needs and then develop and market products that meet those needs. This course may be useful for Product Managers who want to learn more about WebAssembly and how it can be used to build cloud-native applications. This course can help Product Managers build a foundation in WebAssembly, which can help them to develop and market more efficient and scalable products.

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Solutions Architect

Solutions Architects design and implement solutions for complex business problems. They work with clients to understand their business needs and then develop and implement solutions that meet those needs. This course may be useful for Solutions Architects who want to learn more about WebAssembly and how it can be used to build cloud-native applications. This course can help Solutions Architects build a foundation in WebAssembly, which can help them to design and implement more efficient and scalable solutions for their clients.

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Cloud Architect

Cloud Architects design, build, and manage an organization's cloud computing infrastructure. They ensure that the cloud infrastructure meets the organization's business needs and that it is secure, reliable, and scalable. This course may be useful for Cloud Architects who want to learn more about WebAssembly and how it can be used to build cloud-native applications. This course can help Cloud Architects build a foundation in WebAssembly, which can help them to design and build more efficient and scalable cloud-based applications.

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DevOps Engineer

DevOps Engineers work to bridge the gap between development and operations teams. They work to ensure that software is developed and deployed quickly and efficiently. This course may be useful for DevOps Engineers who want to learn more about WebAssembly and how it can be used to build cloud-native applications. This course can help DevOps Engineers build a foundation in WebAssembly, which can help them to automate the deployment and management of cloud-based applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer

Network Engineer

Network Engineers design and manage computer networks. They work to ensure that networks are running smoothly and that they are secure from unauthorized access and attacks. This course may be useful for Network Engineers who want to learn more about WebAssembly and how it can be used to build cloud-native applications. This course can help Network Engineers build a foundation in WebAssembly, which can help them to design and manage more efficient and scalable networks.

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Systems Administrator

Systems Administrators manage and maintain computer systems and networks. They work to ensure that systems are running smoothly and that they are secure from unauthorized access and attacks. This course may be useful for Systems Administrators who want to learn more about WebAssembly and how it can be used to build cloud-native applications. This course can help Systems Administrators build a foundation in WebAssembly, which can help them to manage and maintain more efficient and scalable cloud-based systems.

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Cloud Security Engineer

Cloud Security Engineers design and implement security measures for cloud-based applications and infrastructure. They work to ensure that cloud-based systems are secure from unauthorized access and attacks. This course may be useful for Cloud Security Engineers who want to learn more about WebAssembly and how it can be used to build cloud-native applications. This course can help Cloud Security Engineers build a foundation in WebAssembly, which can help them to design and implement more secure cloud-based applications and infrastructure.

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Technical Project Manager

Technical Project Managers manage and oversee the development and implementation of technical projects. They work to ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. This course may be useful for Technical Project Managers who want to learn more about WebAssembly and how it can be used to build cloud-native applications. This course can help Technical Project Managers build a foundation in WebAssembly, which can help them to manage and oversee more efficient and scalable technical projects.

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Web Architect

Web Architects design and develop the architecture of websites and web applications. They work to ensure that websites and web applications are scalable, reliable, and secure. This course may be useful for Web Architects who want to learn more about WebAssembly and how it can be used to build cloud-native applications. This course can help Web Architects build a foundation in WebAssembly, which can help them to design and develop more efficient and scalable websites and web applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Architect