WebAssembly

Use Binary Data as Function Input and Output

In the previous article, we demonstrated how a Second State FaaS function could handle text-based input and output. Through JSON support, we can encode arbitrary data types into text. However, for functions focused on media processing, binary-based input and output is far more efficient and more performant. In this article, we will show you how to use a Second State FaaS function to add watermark to an image. The source code for the watermark example in this article is available on Github.…

High performance and safe AI as a Service in Node.js

Today’s dominant programming language for AI is Python. Yet, the programming language for the web is JavaScript. To provide AI capabilities as a service on the web, we need to wrap AI algorithms in JavaScript, particularly Node.js. However, neither Python nor JavaScript by itself is suitable for computationally intensive AI applications. They are high-level, ie, slow, languages with heavy-weight runtimes. Their ease-of-use comes at the cost of low performance. Python got around this by wrapping AI computation in native C/C++ modules.…

👏 Get a Free Raspberry Pi Kit- Wave 2

No purchase necessary. Learning and coding are mandatory! Offer ends on September 30th 2020. Learn to create a high performance Node.js application. In the process, you will learn how to write simple functions in the Rust programming language. Share your source code and learning experience to the community via social media. We will send you a FREE Raspberry Pi kit ($25). You can use it as a personal dev server.…

🦕 Tutorial: Deno Apps with WebAssembly, Rust, and WASI

Deno is created by the original developer of Node.js, Ryan Dahl, to address what he called 10 things I regret about Node.js. It did away with the NPM and the infamous node_modules. Deno is a single binary executable to run applications written in TypeScript and JavaScript. However, while TypeScript and JavaScript are suitable for the majority of web applications, they could be inadequate for computationally intensive tasks, such as neural network training and inference, machine learning, and cryptography.…

Upgrade Ubuntu for SSVM

The SSVM is cutting edge software designed for performance and stability. It utilizes the latest stable release of major open source libraries. We recommend running it on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS at this time, but you can make your OS work by meeting library requirements. Here is how. Upgrade libstdc++ The SSVM requires the latest version of libstdc++ to access operating system resources. If you are already on Ubuntu 20.04, you are all set.…

Is This the Next JAVA

In the post-Moore era, computer performance must come from more efficient software. Rust and WebAssembly provide Java-like memory safety, security, and portability to server-side applications while delivering high performance. Play with Rust functions in Node.js, and get recognized for your learning! Back in 2005, I had the honor of being voted as one of the very first Java Champions for evangelizing Java on the server-side. It is hard to believe now, but back then, most people are doubtful that Java could even be used in server-side applications.…

👏 Get a Free Raspberry Pi Kit

No purchase necessary. Learning and coding are mandatory! Offer ends on Aug 31st, 2020. Learn to create a high performance Node.js application. In the process, you will learn how to write simple functions in the Rust programming language. Share your source code and learning experience to the community via social media. We will send you a FREE Raspberry Pi kit ($25). You can use it as a personal dev server.…

🍹 High Performance Node.js on the $5 Computer - Raspberry Pi

The Raspberry Pi is a very powerful computer in a tiny package. The cheapest option, the Raspberry Pi Zero, is capable of running a fully featured Linux distribution and driving a high definition display. It is the size of 3 coins (US Quarters) and costs $5. At $10, the Raspberry Pi Zero W comes with integrated WiFi and Bluetooth. Get a FREE Raspberry Pi kit ($25 value) With a generic ARM CPU and easy networking, the Raspberry Pi can easily become a personal application server for you.…

Rust ➡ WebAssembly 🚀 Node.js

Download the slides in PDF here! Resources Subscribe to the WebAssembly and Rust newsletter WebAssembly is the perfect runtime for server-side (or serverless) applications Getting started with Rust functions in Node.js Rust and Node.js stater template Rust and Deno stater template Artificial intelligence as a Rust function in Node.js The Second State VM is a high performance WebAssembly VM optimized for server-side applications…

💯 Performance advantages of Rust and WebAssembly

Senior software engineer Mohit Agrawal discussed his experience with Rust in an blog post. He compared runtime performance of Rust against other popular compiled and interpreted programming languages. Highlights from his findings: Rust is 2x (200%) faster, but uses only 1% of the memory compared with Java. Rust is 150x (15,000%) faster, and uses about the same amount of memory compared with Python. A study done by IBM found that Rust and WebAssembly could be 15x (1,500%) faster than compiled languages, such as Scala, which is traditionally considerred a high performance language.…