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Introduction to WebAssembly

Colin Eberhardt

"Introduction to WebAssembly" is designed for web, cloud, and blockchain developers, architects, and CTOs interested in learning about WebAssembly’s strengths and limitations, and its potential applications in blockchain, serverless, edge/IoT, and more.

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"Introduction to WebAssembly" is designed for web, cloud, and blockchain developers, architects, and CTOs interested in learning about WebAssembly’s strengths and limitations, and its potential applications in blockchain, serverless, edge/IoT, and more.

LFD133x will give you a good understanding of the WebAssembly runtime, the fourth “official” language of the web (alongside JavaScript, HTML, and CSS). You will learn how WebAssembly runs ‘under the hood’, and how you can leverage its capabilities in and beyond the browser. You will also explore a series of potential applications in different industries, and take a quick peek at upcoming features.

This course is designed to show you what the WebAssembly runtime is, and how it provides a secure, fast and efficient compilation target for a wide range of modern programming languages, allowing them to target the browser.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • A good understanding of the webassembly runtime
  • How webassembly runs "under the hood"
  • How to leverage webassembly's capabilities in and beyond the browser
  • Explore potential applications in different industries
  • And more!

Syllabus

Welcome!
Ch 1. The Interactive Web - A Brief History
Ch 2. Introducing WebAssembly
Ch 3. Practical WebAssembly
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Teaches WebAssembly, which adds to the tools of blockchain, backend, IoT, and cloud developers
Students create a foundation in the WebAssembly runtime
Covers future application development, helping learners stay ahead of trends

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Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
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Reviews summary

Foundational webassembly overview for professionals

According to learners, this course offers a solid and accessible introduction to WebAssembly, particularly praised for its clear explanations and comprehensive coverage of WebAssembly beyond the browser. Students appreciate the insights into how WASM runs 'under the hood' and its potential applications in blockchain and serverless computing. While it provides a strong foundational understanding, a few learners noted a lack of in-depth coverage for more advanced topics and a desire for more extensive code examples, suggesting it's best as a starting point that may require additional self-study.
Instructor effectively demystifies complex WebAssembly concepts.
"The instructor is knowledgeable and presents the material clearly."
"The explanations of how WASM runs 'under the hood' were particularly insightful."
"The instructor's explanations are top-notch."
"The instructor explained complex ideas well."
Highlights WebAssembly's uses in diverse industries.
"I especially appreciated the sections on WebAssembly beyond the browser."
"The insights into WebAssembly's role in blockchain and serverless computing were eye-opening."
"The coverage of applications beyond the browser was a strong point."
"The discussion on future trends and integration with blockchain was particularly valuable for strategic planning."
Provides a strong and accessible entry point to WebAssembly.
"A very solid introduction to WebAssembly."
"Excellent course! As a seasoned JavaScript developer, I needed a quick and comprehensive way to get up to speed with WebAssembly, and this course delivered."
"Good foundational course. It really helped demystify WebAssembly for me."
"Absolutely fantastic! This course clarifies the complex world of WebAssembly in an accessible way."
"A great starting point. I'd recommend it for beginners in WASM..."
Could benefit from more extensive or robust practical coding exercises.
"My only minor critique is that some parts could benefit from more detailed code examples..."
"I wish there were more hands-on labs."
"Some coding examples felt a bit too basic, but given it's an 'Introduction', it's understandable."
"I did feel that some explanations could have been supported by more robust examples or quick demos."
Offers a broad overview, may lack advanced implementation details.
"The course provides a decent overview, but I felt it lacked depth in certain areas."
"For someone already familiar with performance optimization or low-level programming concepts, it might feel a bit too introductory."
"I found this course to be somewhat superficial. While it touches on many topics, it doesn't dive deep enough into any of them."
"It lays a good foundation but requires significant supplementary learning."

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 Introduction to WebAssembly with these activities:
Review C Programming
Warm up your knowledge of C programming before jumping into the course.
Browse courses on C Programming
Show steps
  • Go through your notes or textbooks from previous C programming courses.
  • Solve a few practice problems on a coding platform like HackerRank or LeetCode.
  • Build a simple C program, like a calculator or a text editor, to refresh your understanding of syntax and basic concepts.
Follow Online WebAssembly Tutorials
Complement your learning with additional guidance from online tutorials.
Show steps
  • Explore platforms like YouTube, Udemy, or Coursera for WebAssembly tutorials.
  • Choose tutorials that align with your skill level and learning goals.
  • Follow the tutorials step-by-step, taking notes and practicing the concepts.
  • Engage in the discussion forums of the tutorials to ask questions and connect with other learners.
Attend WebAssembly meetups or conferences
Provides opportunities for collaboration, learning from industry experts, and staying updated on the latest WebAssembly trends.
Browse courses on WebAssembly
Show steps
  • Identify upcoming WebAssembly meetups or conferences in your area
  • Register and attend the events
  • Engage with other attendees, ask questions, and share your knowledge
  • Follow up with new connections made at the events
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Solve WebAssembly coding challenges on coding websites
Provides real-world coding practice and strengthens problem-solving skills for WebAssembly development.
Browse courses on WebAssembly
Show steps
  • Identify websites or platforms that host WebAssembly coding challenges
  • Select challenges that align with your skill level and interests
  • Solve the challenges and review the solutions to learn new techniques
  • Seek guidance from online forums or mentors if needed
Solve WebAssembly Practice Problems
Constantly challenge yourself with practice problems to solidify your understanding of WebAssembly concepts.
Browse courses on WebAssembly
Show steps
  • Find practice problems on platforms like HackerRank, LeetCode, or GeeksforGeeks.
  • Start with easier problems and gradually increase the difficulty level.
  • Work through the problems step-by-step, understanding the logic behind each solution.
  • Review your solutions and identify areas for improvement.
Follow tutorials on advanced WebAssembly features and techniques
Enhances knowledge and skills in advanced WebAssembly concepts, broadening practical capabilities.
Browse courses on WebAssembly
Show steps
  • Identify reputable sources for WebAssembly tutorials
  • Select tutorials that cover specific advanced features you want to learn
  • Follow the tutorials step-by-step, implementing the concepts in your own code
  • Experiment with the advanced features in real-world scenarios
Create a mini-project demonstrating WebAssembly's applications in IoT
Develops deep understanding of how WebAssembly can be applied to IoT applications.
Browse courses on IoT
Show steps
  • Identify a specific IoT application that can benefit from WebAssembly
  • Design the WebAssembly module for the application
  • Implement the WebAssembly module
  • Deploy and test the WebAssembly module on an IoT device
Build a WebAssembly Project
Put your WebAssembly skills to the test by building a practical project.
Browse courses on Project Building
Show steps
  • Identify a problem or idea that you can solve using WebAssembly.
  • Design the architecture and functionality of your project.
  • Implement your project using WebAssembly and any necessary supporting technologies.
  • Test and debug your project to ensure it meets the requirements.
  • Document your project and share it with others.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to WebAssembly will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Full-Stack Developer
Full Stack Developers are highly involved with all layers of a technology stack. This includes working on front-end tasks such as building the UI and using frameworks such as React.js, as well as back-end tasks such as building APIs, cloud computing, and using Node.js. The LFD133x course in particular gives you foundational knowledge about how WebAssembly works. Since WebAssembly is a foundational pillar of emerging web technology, knowing how it operates will lead you to create better applications and give you an advantage in the industry.
See salaries and explore the career path for Full-Stack Developer
Blockchain Developer
Blockchain Developers build and maintain decentralized applications. They write smart contracts, build applications with cryptocurrencies, and create blockchain applications. LFD133x teaches Blockchain Developers about the WebAssembly runtime. This will help Blockchain Developers build a strong foundation in the theory and practical applications of WebAssembly, which will help them build more effective and efficient blockchain applications.
See salaries and explore the career path for Blockchain Developer
Web Developer
Web Developers build and maintain websites. They work on front-end tasks such as building the UI and using frameworks such as React.js, as well as back-end tasks such as building APIs and working with databases. LFD133x is useful for Web Developers to learn more about WebAssembly and how they can use WebAssembly to build more powerful and efficient websites.
See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer
DevOps Engineer
DevOps Engineers work on the intersection of development and operations. They automate processes and manage infrastructure. LFD133x provides DevOps Engineers with foundational knowledge of WebAssembly. This will help DevOps Engineers build a strong foundation in the theory and practical applications of WebAssembly, which will help them build more effective and efficient DevOps pipelines.
See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer
Backend Developer
Backend Developers, also known as back-end engineers, are responsible for developing and maintaining the server-side of web applications. They work on tasks such as building APIs, working with databases, and managing the infrastructure of web applications. LFD133x is useful for Backend Developers to learn more about WebAssembly and how they can use WebAssembly to build faster and more efficient APIs.
See salaries and explore the career path for Backend Developer
Cloud Engineer
Cloud Engineers design, build, and manage cloud computing systems. They work on tasks such as managing virtual machines, deploying applications, and designing cloud architectures. LFD133x provides Cloud Engineers with foundational knowledge of WebAssembly. This will help Cloud Engineers build a strong foundation in the theory and practical applications of WebAssembly, which will help them build more effective and efficient cloud computing systems.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Engineer
Front-End Developer
Front End Developers build and maintain the user interface of web applications. They work on tasks such as writing HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, as well as working with frameworks such as React.js and Angular.js. LFD133x is useful for Front End Developers to learn more about WebAssembly and how they can use WebAssembly to build faster and more efficient web applications.
See salaries and explore the career path for Front-End Developer
Data Engineer
Data Engineers design and build data pipelines. They work on tasks such as collecting data from various sources, cleaning data, and building data models. LFD133x may be useful for Data Engineers to learn more about how they can use WebAssembly to build web applications that process and visualize large amounts of data.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer
Data Analyst
Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data. They work on tasks such as building data visualizations, creating reports, and developing data-driven insights. LFD133x may be useful for Data Analysts to learn more about how they can use WebAssembly to build web applications that process and visualize large amounts of data.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst
Software Architect
Software Architects research and design software applications. They work on tasks such as creating software architectures, designing software components, and defining software development methodologies. LFD133x provides Software Architects with foundational knowledge of WebAssembly. This will help Software Architects build a strong foundation in the theory and practical applications of WebAssembly, which will help them build more effective and efficient software applications.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Architect
Product Manager
Product Managers are responsible for the development and marketing of a product. They work on tasks such as defining product requirements, creating product roadmaps, and working with engineering and marketing teams. LFD133x may be useful for Product Managers who work on products that use WebAssembly to learn more about WebAssembly's capabilities and how it can be used to build better products.
See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager
IT Manager
IT Managers plan and manage the IT infrastructure of an organization. They work on tasks such as managing IT budgets, procuring IT equipment, and implementing IT security measures. LFD133x may be useful for IT Managers responsible for managing IT infrastructure that uses WebAssembly to learn more about WebAssembly's capabilities and how it can be used to build more efficient IT infrastructure.
See salaries and explore the career path for IT Manager
Systems Administrator
Systems Administrators maintain and manage computer systems. They work on tasks such as installing software, configuring hardware, and monitoring system performance. LFD133x may be useful for Systems Administrators responsible for managing systems that use WebAssembly to learn more about WebAssembly's capabilities and how it can be used to build more efficient systems.
See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Administrator
Network Engineer
Network Engineers design and manage computer networks. They work on tasks such as designing network topologies, configuring network devices, and monitoring network performance. LFD133x may be useful for Network Engineers responsible for managing networks that use WebAssembly to learn more about WebAssembly's capabilities and how it can be used to build more efficient networks.
See salaries and explore the career path for Network Engineer
Security Analyst
Security Analysts monitor and analyze security events. They work on tasks such as investigating security breaches, developing security policies, and implementing security measures. LFD133x may be useful for Security Analysts responsible for securing systems that use WebAssembly to learn more about WebAssembly's security features and how they can be used to build more secure systems.
See salaries and explore the career path for Security Analyst

Reading list

We've selected five books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Introduction to WebAssembly.
Cover image
Professional ASP.NET 1.1
Save
Technical deep dive into WebAssembly, covering the internals of the technology and how it works. It valuable resource for developers who want to learn more about the underlying details of WebAssembly.
Professional ASP.NET 1.1: Updated and Tested for...
Paperback
$$$$
Cover image
High Performance Browser Networking
Save
While this book doesn't cover WebAssembly directly, it provides a solid foundation in browser networking, which is essential for understanding how WebAssembly interacts with the web platform.
High Performance Browser Networking: What every web...
Paperback
$$
(中文) Web性能权威指南 (图灵程序设计丛书) (Chinese Edition)
Kindle Edition
$
Cover image
The Rust Programming Language, 2nd Edition
Save
If you're interested in developing WebAssembly modules using Rust, this book is the definitive guide. It covers the Rust programming language in detail, providing essential knowledge for building high-performance, secure WebAssembly applications.
The Rust Programming Language, 2nd Edition
Paperback
$$
The Rust Programming Language, 2nd Edition
Kindle Edition
$$
C Programming Language, 2nd Edition
Save
This classic book provides a comprehensive overview of the C programming language. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about C, which is the language that WebAssembly is based on.
C Programming Language, 2nd Edition
Paperback
Check
C Programming Language, 2nd Edition
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
The Go Programming Language
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the Go programming language. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about Go, which is one of the most popular languages for developing server-side WebAssembly applications.
Go Programming Language, The (Addison-Wesley...
Kindle Edition
$$

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Course image
Effort
1 to 2 hours per week for 7 weeks
Level
Introductory
Via
edX
Institution
The Linux Foundation
Instructor
Colin Eberhardt
Language
English
Transcript
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Teaches WebAssembly, which adds to the tools of blockchain, backend, IoT, and cloud developers
Students create a foundation in the WebAssembly runtime
Covers future application development, helping learners stay ahead of trends
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