Unleashing the Power of Java to the Browser: Introduction to WebAssembly

In this digital age, the demand for high-performance web applications is ever-increasing.

Enter WebAssembly (Wasm), a cutting-edge technology that allows developers to run highly efficient binary code in modern web browsers. Java, one of the most popular languages of the last few decades, has now also found its way into the realm of WebAssembly thanks to technologies like CheerpJ, enabling applications written in the language to run on modern browsers.

1. Java as a language for Web development

By leveraging WebAssembly to run Java bytecode in the browser, developers are no longer restricted to using JavaScript and JavaScript-based languages. 

With WebAssembly-based Java Virtual Machines (JVMs) such as CheerpJ, Java bytecode can run directly in the browser, allowing developers to create complex applications combining Java and JavaScript-based components and libraries.

2. Native-like performance:

Thanks to WebAssembly’s native-like performance, CheerpJ, a JVM/JRE for the browser, allows Java components to run at speeds comparable to native, particularly for code run frequently. 

This means that the power of Java on the browser doesn’t need to come at the expense of its performance, and mixed JavaScript / Java Web Applications can have excellent performance. 

3. Increased Security:

Java’s robust security features, such as bytecode verification and sandboxing, can be carried over to WebAssembly. This added layer of security introduced by the Web security model helps protect against numerous vulnerabilities, ensuring a safe browsing experience for end-users.

4. Ease of Maintenance:

Using WebAssembly to run Java in the browser, streamlines the development process by allowing developers to reuse existing Java components. This not only reduces the need to rewrite code but also simplifies ongoing maintenance and updates, saving time and resources in the long run.

Embracing the power of WebAssembly and CheerpJ to run Java bytecode opens up new possibilities for developers, offering a versatile and efficient solution for creating cutting-edge client-side applications. 

Stay tuned for our next blog post, where we delve deeper into the performance benefits of running Java with WebAssembly in the browser!