# WebAssembly

Concept · [Technical basics](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/technical)

Also called: Wasm, WASM, web assembly

A format that lets code written in languages like C, C++ or [Rust](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/rust) run in a [web browser](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/web-browser) at close to full speed. It is used for heavy work such as editors, games and audio tools on the web.

**For example:** A photo editor compiles its image engine to WebAssembly so it runs inside the [browser](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/web-browser) with no download.

## Connects to (3)

- [HTML5](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/html5): The current version of HTML.
- [Front end](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/front-end): The part of an app or website that people see and tap, running in their browser or on their phone.
- [Web app vs mobile app](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/web-app-mobile-app): A web app runs in a browser at a web address, on any device.

Map view: https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/webassembly