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C++ vs WebAssembly: What are the differences?
C++ vs WebAssembly
Introduction
In web development, WebAssembly (Wasm) is becoming increasingly popular as a low-level virtual machine that allows us to run high-performance code securely in web browsers. On the other hand, C++ is a powerful and widely used programming language known for its efficiency and performance. In this article, we will explore the key differences between C++ and WebAssembly.
Language Design: C++ is a high-level programming language that offers a wide range of features and abstractions, allowing developers to write complex code. In contrast, WebAssembly is a low-level, stack-based virtual machine language, which means it has a simpler design and lacks some high-level abstractions found in C++.
Execution Environment: C++ code is compiled into machine code that can run on the target platform's operating system and hardware directly. WebAssembly, however, is designed to be platform-independent and runs on a virtual machine. It requires a compatible runtime environment, typically provided by modern web browsers.
Portability: C++ code needs to be compiled separately for each target platform, such as Windows, Linux, or macOS. In contrast, WebAssembly code is compiled once and can run on any platform that supports the WebAssembly runtime, eliminating the need for platform-specific compilation.
Garbage Collection: C++ developers have more control over memory management, allowing them to choose between manual memory management or using libraries like smart pointers. WebAssembly, in contrast, relies on garbage collection for memory management, which simplifies memory management but can introduce some performance overhead.
Access to Web APIs: C++ is not directly integrated with web APIs and does not have built-in support for web-centric functionalities. WebAssembly, on the other hand, can interact seamlessly with JavaScript and access various web APIs, allowing it to leverage the full power of the web platform.
In Summary, C++ and WebAssembly differ in language design, execution environment, portability, memory management, and access to web APIs, making them suitable for different use cases.
As a personal research project I wanted to add post-quantum crypto KEM (key encapsulation) algorithms and new symmetric crypto session algorithms to openssh. I found the openssh code and its channel/context management extremely complex.
Concurrently, I was learning Go. It occurred to me that Go's excellent standard library, including crypto libraries, plus its much safer memory model and string/buffer handling would be better suited to a secure remote shell solution. So I started from scratch, writing a clean-room Go-based solution, without regard for ssh compatibility. Interactive and token-based login, secure copy and tunnels.
Of course, it needs a proper security audit for side channel attacks, protocol vulnerabilities and so on -- but I was impressed by how much simpler a client-server application with crypto and complex terminal handling was in Go.
$ sloc openssh-portable
Languages Files Code Comment Blank Total CodeLns
Total 502 112982 14327 15705 143014 100.0%
C 389 105938 13349 14416 133703 93.5%
Shell 92 6118 937 1129 8184 5.7%
Make 16 468 37 131 636 0.4%
AWK 1 363 0 7 370 0.3%
C++ 3 79 4 18 101 0.1%
Conf 1 16 0 4 20 0.0%
$ sloc xs
Languages Files Code Comment Blank Total CodeLns
Total 34 3658 1231 655 5544 100.0%
Go 19 3230 1199 507 4936 89.0%
Markdown 2 181 0 76 257 4.6%
Make 7 148 4 50 202 3.6%
YAML 1 39 0 5 44 0.8%
Text 1 30 0 7 37 0.7%
Modula 1 16 0 2 18 0.3%
Shell 3 14 28 8 50 0.9%
Pros of C++
- Performance201
- Control over memory allocation106
- Cross-platform97
- Fast96
- Object oriented84
- Industry standard57
- Smart pointers47
- Templates37
- Gui toolkits16
- Raii16
- Generic programming13
- Control13
- Flexibility13
- Metaprogramming11
- Hardcore9
- Simple5
- Full-fledged containers/collections API5
- Many large libraries5
- Performant multi-paradigm language4
- Large number of Libraries4
- Way too complicated3
- Close to Reality1
- Plenty of useful features1
Pros of WebAssembly
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Cons of C++
- Slow compilation8
- Unsafe8
- Over-complicated6
- Fragile ABI6
- No standard/mainstream dependency management5
- Templates mess with compilation units4
- Too low level for most tasks3
- Compile time features are a mess1
- Template metaprogramming is insane1
- Segfaults1
- Unreal engine1
Cons of WebAssembly
- Security issues2
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What is C++?
What is WebAssembly?
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