Wasm Web Assembly Glossary

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WebAssembly (Wasm) is a binary instruction format designed to run code efficiently in web browsers. It provides near-native performance for web applications by allowing code written in languages like C, C++, and Rust to execute at high speed. Wasm is platform-independent and runs inside a sandboxed environment. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WebAssembly

Linear Memory in WebAssembly is a mutable, contiguous block of memory accessible by both Wasm and the host environment (e.g., JavaScript). It serves as the primary memory for a Wasm module, and all data read or written by the module is stored in this memory space. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Understanding_the_text_format#linear_memory

WebAssembly System Interface (WASI) is a standard system interface designed to run WebAssembly code outside of the browser, enabling interaction with the underlying operating system. WASI supports file I/O, networking, and other system functions, making WebAssembly suitable for non-web applications like cloud computing and IoT. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WebAssembly_System_Interface

Modules in WebAssembly are the basic unit of code that can be executed. A WebAssembly module contains the compiled Wasm bytecode along with metadata like functions, memory definitions, and imports/exports. The module is instantiated by the WebAssembly engine for execution. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Concepts#modules

WebAssembly Text Format (WAT) is a human-readable format for WebAssembly binary code. Developers use WAT to write WebAssembly programs in a text-based format, which is later compiled to the binary format that browsers execute. WAT is useful for debugging and understanding Wasm modules. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WebAssembly_Text_format

Imports and Exports in WebAssembly define the interface between the Wasm module and its host environment. Imports allow a module to call functions from the host (e.g., JavaScript), while Exports enable the host to invoke functions defined in the Wasm module. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Using_the_JavaScript_API#WebAssembly_Module_Imports_and_Exports

Just-In-Time Compilation (JIT Compilation) in WebAssembly refers to the process by which WebAssembly code is compiled into native machine code at runtime. This method improves performance by allowing the browser to execute Wasm code more efficiently compared to interpretation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just-in-time_compilation

Emscripten is a toolchain that compiles C, C++, and other low-level languages into WebAssembly or asm.js. Emscripten is commonly used to port existing C/C++ applications to run in the browser, allowing them to execute as WebAssembly modules with minimal modifications. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emscripten

Host Bindings in WebAssembly allow the Wasm module to interact with JavaScript functions or browser APIs. These bindings enable WebAssembly to access the DOM, make network requests, or perform other tasks that require interaction with the browser environment. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Using_the_JavaScript_API

Stack Machine in WebAssembly refers to the architecture in which operations are performed on a stack rather than registers. All instructions in WebAssembly operate on values pushed onto or popped from the stack, which makes the execution model straightforward and efficient for compilers. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stack_machine

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WebAssembly Modules are self-contained units of code that include everything needed for execution, such as functions, memory, and other resources. A Wasm module can be instantiated multiple times, and each instance has its own memory and execution environment. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Modules

Table in WebAssembly is a data structure that holds references to functions. Tables are used in dynamic dispatch or indirect function calls. They provide a way for Wasm modules to manage function pointers or jump tables for better control over execution flow. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Concepts#tables

Memory in WebAssembly is a linear, contiguous block of memory that can grow in size. Wasm modules use this memory to store data, and it can be shared between the module and the host environment, such as JavaScript. The size of memory can increase but not decrease during execution. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Understanding_the_text_format#linear_memory

Global in WebAssembly refers to a variable that holds a single value and is accessible throughout the lifetime of a Wasm module. Globals can be mutable or immutable, and they are either imported from the host environment or defined within the module. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Concepts#globals

Element Segments in WebAssembly are used to initialize tables with function references. These segments allow functions to be stored in tables and invoked indirectly, enabling dynamic function calls within the Wasm module. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Understanding_the_text_format#elements

Data Segments in WebAssembly are sections that initialize the linear memory of a module with predefined data. Data segments allow static data, such as strings or numbers, to be embedded in the module and loaded into memory during instantiation. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Understanding_the_text_format#data

Function Signatures in WebAssembly define the input parameters and return values for functions. Each function in Wasm has a specific signature that dictates how it is called and what types of values it returns, ensuring type safety within the execution environment. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Understanding_the_text_format#function_signatures

Type Section in WebAssembly defines the signatures of all the functions used in a module. This section lists all the function types, including the number of parameters and return values, allowing Wasm to enforce strict typing and provide efficient function calls. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Understanding_the_text_format#type

Export Section in WebAssembly lists the functions, memories, tables, and globals that the module makes available to the host environment. Exports allow JavaScript or other hosts to access and use functions or data from a Wasm module. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Understanding_the_text_format#exports

Import Section in WebAssembly defines the functions, memory, and tables that the Wasm module requires from the host environment. The import section allows the module to call functions or access memory that is defined outside of the module, typically by the host, such as a browser or JavaScript runtime. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Understanding_the_text_format#imports

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Opcode in WebAssembly represents a single machine-level instruction that the Wasm virtual machine executes. Each opcode corresponds to a specific operation, such as arithmetic or memory access, and is encoded in binary form for efficient execution by the Wasm engine. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opcode

Trap in WebAssembly is an error condition that occurs when an operation cannot be completed, such as division by zero or accessing memory out of bounds. When a trap is triggered, execution of the Wasm module is immediately halted, and control is passed back to the host environment. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Concepts#traps

Call Stack in WebAssembly refers to the structure used to manage function calls and local variables. The call stack keeps track of the execution order of functions and stores information necessary for returning control to the correct location after a function completes. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Understanding_the_text_format#call_stack

Multi-Value return support in WebAssembly allows functions to return more than one value. Initially, WebAssembly only allowed functions to return a single value, but with multi-value support, it can return multiple values of different types, which improves flexibility in programming. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Reference_types

Garbage Collection in WebAssembly refers to upcoming proposals to add managed memory support. Currently, Wasm does not have automatic garbage collection like higher-level languages, but proposals are being discussed to make WebAssembly compatible with managed languages like Java or C. https://github.com/WebAssembly/gc

SIMD (Single Instruction, Multiple Data) in WebAssembly allows the execution of the same operation on multiple data points simultaneously, greatly speeding up performance for tasks like multimedia processing and scientific computing. The SIMD proposal is currently being implemented in major Wasm engines. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIMD

Direct WebAssembly Access (DWARF) is a debugging format that helps developers debug WebAssembly modules by providing information about the original source code, such as line numbers and variable names. DWARF improves the debugging process by mapping low-level Wasm code back to the original high-level language. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DWARF

Exception Handling in WebAssembly is a proposal that will introduce structured error handling, similar to try-catch blocks in high-level languages. Currently, Wasm lacks native support for exceptions, but this feature is aimed at making error handling more robust for Wasm modules. https://github.com/WebAssembly/exception-handling

Tail Call Optimization in WebAssembly allows functions to return the result of another function call without adding a new frame to the call stack. This optimization reduces the amount of memory used and improves performance, especially for recursive functions. https://github.com/WebAssembly/tail-call

Host Functions in WebAssembly are functions that are provided by the host environment, such as JavaScript, and can be called from within a Wasm module. Host functions allow WebAssembly modules to interact with the outside world, such as accessing the DOM or making network requests. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Using_the_JavaScript_API

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Inlining in WebAssembly refers to an optimization technique where function calls are replaced by the body of the function itself. This reduces the overhead of calling a function, leading to improved performance by eliminating the need for additional call stack entries. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inline_expansion

Bulk Memory Operations in WebAssembly are instructions that allow for efficient copying and initialization of memory regions. These operations improve performance when handling large blocks of memory by minimizing the number of individual instructions needed for memory management. https://github.com/WebAssembly/bulk-memory-operations

Reference Types in WebAssembly introduce the ability to work with more complex data structures, such as objects, by passing references to them instead of copying their values. Reference types allow for more efficient memory usage and easier interoperability with languages that rely on references. https://github.com/WebAssembly/reference-types

Module Linking in WebAssembly is a proposal that enables multiple Wasm modules to be linked together, allowing them to share memory and functions. This feature allows developers to split large applications into smaller, reusable modules, which can be dynamically linked and executed. https://github.com/WebAssembly/module-linking

Function References in WebAssembly provide a way to store and pass around references to functions. This feature allows Wasm modules to use first-class function references, enabling dynamic dispatch and more flexible function call patterns, similar to function pointers in C. https://github.com/WebAssembly/function-references

Import Resolution in WebAssembly is the process by which external dependencies (such as functions or memory) defined in the import section are mapped to actual values provided by the host environment. Import resolution ensures that Wasm modules can correctly access external resources during execution. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Concepts#imports

Memory64 in WebAssembly refers to the ability for Wasm to address more than 4GB of memory by using 64-bit memory addresses. The Memory64 proposal allows WebAssembly applications to handle larger datasets and use more memory-intensive operations, useful for high-performance applications. https://github.com/WebAssembly/memory64

Garbage Collection Proposal in WebAssembly aims to introduce native support for automatic memory management, enabling Wasm modules to work more efficiently with higher-level languages that rely on garbage collection, such as Java and C. This feature would streamline development for those languages in the Wasm environment. https://github.com/WebAssembly/gc

Multithreading in WebAssembly is enabled through the SharedArrayBuffer and Web Workers APIs. This allows Wasm modules to run multiple threads of execution in parallel, significantly improving performance for applications like games and data processing. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/SharedArrayBuffer

Type Reflection in WebAssembly is a proposal that allows Wasm modules to inspect the types of functions and other values at runtime. Type reflection provides greater flexibility for dynamic execution and debugging, enabling better type safety in complex applications. https://github.com/WebAssembly/proposals

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WebAssembly Interface Types is a proposal that introduces a mechanism for describing how values should be passed between different WebAssembly modules and between Wasm and host environments, such as JavaScript. This allows for more seamless communication between different modules and environments, improving compatibility and performance. https://github.com/WebAssembly/interface-types

Memory Initialization in WebAssembly refers to the process of setting up initial memory values for a Wasm module. This is done using data segments that specify the starting values of memory, allowing for efficient setup of default values needed by the module at runtime. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Understanding_the_text_format#data

Name Section in WebAssembly is a non-executable section of the module that holds human-readable names for functions and variables. Although optional, the name section is useful for debugging and profiling, as it provides context for what functions are being executed. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Understanding_the_text_format#names

Table Grow in WebAssembly is an operation that allows the dynamic resizing of function tables. Table grow is particularly useful when dealing with large applications that require more space for function pointers or when functions are added during execution. https://github.com/WebAssembly/table

Validation in WebAssembly ensures that a module is well-formed and safe to execute. The validation process checks for proper type usage, memory access, and adherence to Wasm’s rules before a module is executed, ensuring it will not perform any unsafe or illegal operations. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Concepts#validation

Shadow Stack is a technique used in WebAssembly to manage function call frames and local variables. A shadow stack is implemented to keep track of the program’s state, particularly during function calls and returns, helping to efficiently manage the call stack in environments like Wasm. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Call_stack

Relocatable Modules in WebAssembly refers to modules that can be moved to different memory addresses or environments without requiring recompilation. Relocatable modules provide flexibility in multi-module applications, where the memory layout can change at runtime. https://github.com/WebAssembly/relocatable

Dynamic Linking in WebAssembly enables Wasm modules to link with other modules at runtime. This allows for shared memory and function access between modules, making it easier to build large-scale applications by loading code in smaller, reusable chunks. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Concepts#dynamic_linking

Reference Counting in WebAssembly is a memory management technique that tracks how many references exist to a particular memory object. When the reference count drops to zero, the object can be safely deallocated. Reference counting is often used in languages that don’t rely on garbage collection. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reference_counting

Custom Sections in WebAssembly are optional sections that allow developers to include metadata, debugging information, or other non-executable data in a Wasm module. Custom sections do not affect the execution of the module but can provide useful information for development and debugging. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Understanding_the_text_format#custom

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Host Environment in WebAssembly refers to the system or runtime that executes a Wasm module, such as a web browser or a standalone runtime. The host environment provides functions, memory, and other resources that the Wasm module can use during execution, enabling interaction between the module and the outside world. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Using_the_JavaScript_API

Polyfill in the context of WebAssembly refers to code that provides Wasm functionality in environments that don’t natively support it. Polyfills can emulate Wasm features, enabling legacy browsers or systems to run WebAssembly modules, though usually at a lower performance level compared to native support. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyfill_(programming)

Spectre Mitigations in WebAssembly are security measures implemented to protect against Spectre-style vulnerabilities, which can exploit speculative execution in modern CPUs. These mitigations ensure that Wasm modules cannot access sensitive data inappropriately by isolating memory and controlling execution flow. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTTP/Spectre_and_Meltdown_protections

Threading Proposal in WebAssembly is an ongoing effort to introduce native multithreading support to Wasm through the use of SharedArrayBuffer. The threading proposal will allow Wasm applications to run multiple threads of execution in parallel, improving performance for computationally intensive tasks. https://github.com/WebAssembly/threads

Bounds Checking in WebAssembly ensures that memory accesses are within the valid range of the allocated memory. Bounds checking prevents a Wasm module from reading or writing outside its memory boundaries, a key security feature that prevents buffer overflow vulnerabilities. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Concepts#memory

Module Caching in WebAssembly refers to the ability of the browser or runtime to cache compiled Wasm modules for future use. Module caching reduces the overhead of recompiling modules when they are reused, improving load times and overall performance for web applications. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Caching_a_WASM_file

Streaming Compilation allows WebAssembly modules to be compiled while they are being downloaded, rather than waiting for the entire file to load. Streaming compilation reduces the time it takes to start executing a module, improving performance by overlapping network and CPU operations. https://developers.google.com/web/updates/2018/03/wasm-streaming

Pinned Memory refers to memory in WebAssembly that remains in a fixed location, preventing it from being moved by the garbage collector or memory management system. Pinned memory is crucial for certain operations where consistent memory addressing is required for performance or correctness. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinning_(computer_programming)

Tail Recursion in WebAssembly is an optimization that allows recursive functions to execute without growing the call stack. When a function's final operation is a recursive call, tail recursion optimization reuses the current stack frame, reducing the overhead of recursion and preventing stack overflow. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tail_call

Direct Calls in WebAssembly refer to function calls that are made directly to a specific function address rather than through an indirect call. Direct calls are faster because there is no need for additional lookups in a table, improving the performance of frequently invoked functions. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Understanding_the_text_format#function

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Lazy Initialization in WebAssembly refers to delaying the initialization of a resource or function until it is actually needed. By using lazy initialization, modules can reduce the initial load time and improve performance by only loading and initializing components when required. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/Performance/Lazy_loading

Atomic Operations in WebAssembly provide low-level synchronization mechanisms that ensure operations on shared memory are completed without interference from other threads. These atomic operations are essential for multithreading, as they prevent data races when multiple threads access the same memory. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Atomics

Global Variables in WebAssembly are variables that are accessible throughout the entire module and can be shared between different functions. Globals can be imported or exported between the Wasm module and the host environment, allowing for data to persist across function calls. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Concepts#globals

Wasm Bindgen is a tool used to facilitate communication between Rust and WebAssembly. Wasm Bindgen generates the necessary bindings to allow Rust code to interact with JavaScript seamlessly, enabling Rust developers to create Wasm modules that work well in web environments. https://github.com/rustwasm/wasm-bindgen

Function Imports in WebAssembly allow a module to call functions that are defined in the host environment, such as JavaScript. These imports enable modules to extend their capabilities by using host-defined functions for tasks like DOM manipulation, network requests, or logging. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Using_the_JavaScript_API#WebAssembly_Module_Imports_and_Exports

Opcode Decoding is the process of interpreting the binary instructions (opcodes) in a WebAssembly module. The Wasm engine decodes each opcode to perform the corresponding operation, such as arithmetic, memory access, or function calls, during execution. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opcode

WebAssembly Stack refers to the data structure used to store function call information, local variables, and operands during the execution of a module. Wasm uses a stack machine architecture, meaning that operations are performed on the values stored in the stack, improving simplicity and execution speed. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stack_machine

Memory Pages in WebAssembly are the units of memory allocation, where each page is 64KB in size. The memory of a Wasm module is divided into these memory pages, and the module can request additional pages as needed, allowing memory to grow dynamically during execution. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Understanding_the_text_format#memory

Garbage Collection Integration in WebAssembly is a proposal that aims to add support for automatic memory management, allowing Wasm modules to work with managed languages that rely on garbage collection. This feature will make WebAssembly more versatile for a wider range of programming languages. https://github.com/WebAssembly/gc

Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) applies to WebAssembly when fetching Wasm modules across different domains. Browsers enforce CORS policies to ensure that modules loaded from different origins adhere to security restrictions, protecting users from unauthorized data access or manipulation. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTTP/CORS

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Inlining Functions in WebAssembly is an optimization technique where the code of a function is inserted directly into the calling function, avoiding the overhead of a function call. By using inlining functions, performance is improved by reducing the number of jumps in the code and making the execution faster. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inline_expansion

Multi-Memory support in WebAssembly is a proposal that allows modules to use multiple linear memory regions, rather than just one. This feature would enable more complex applications by allowing different types of data to be stored in separate memory regions, improving memory management and performance. https://github.com/WebAssembly/multi-memory

Mutable Globals in WebAssembly are global variables whose values can be changed during execution. Unlike immutable globals, mutable globals allow for more dynamic behavior in Wasm modules, enabling modules to maintain state and adjust to runtime conditions. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Concepts#globals

Import Object in WebAssembly is a collection of functions, memory, and other resources that a Wasm module can import from the host environment. The import object is defined in the host language, typically JavaScript, and provides the necessary bindings for Wasm to interact with the host. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Using_the_JavaScript_API#importing_functions

Instruction Set in WebAssembly defines the set of operations that can be performed by a Wasm module. The instruction set includes operations for arithmetic, memory access, control flow, and function calls, all designed to be low-level and efficient for execution in a virtual machine. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WebAssembly

Custom Imports in WebAssembly refer to user-defined functions or resources that are imported into a Wasm module from the host environment. These custom imports allow developers to extend the functionality of Wasm by providing specialized operations, such as accessing the DOM or handling events. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Concepts#imports

Memory Growth in WebAssembly is the process by which a module can request additional memory during execution. Wasm modules can start with a small amount of memory and dynamically increase it by adding more memory pages, which are allocated in 64KB units, to accommodate growing data requirements. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Concepts#memory

Direct Memory Access (DMA) in WebAssembly allows Wasm modules to efficiently access and modify large blocks of memory without needing to go through the host environment. DMA improves performance for memory-intensive operations, such as image processing or scientific calculations, by reducing the number of memory access instructions. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_memory_access

Exported Functions in WebAssembly are functions within a Wasm module that are made available to the host environment. Exported functions allow the host, such as JavaScript, to invoke Wasm functions directly, enabling seamless interaction between the module and the host application. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Using_the_JavaScript_API#WebAssembly_Module_Imports_and_Exports

Module Validation in WebAssembly ensures that a Wasm module is safe to execute by checking that it adheres to strict rules regarding memory access, function calls, and type safety. Module validation occurs before a Wasm module is run, preventing potentially unsafe or malicious code from executing. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Concepts#validation

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Function Tables in WebAssembly store references to functions that can be called indirectly. Function tables enable dynamic function calls, where a function is chosen at runtime rather than hardcoded at compile time. This is useful for implementing features like virtual method calls and polymorphism in Wasm modules. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Concepts#tables

Indirect Calls in WebAssembly allow a function to be invoked using a reference stored in a function table. Indirect calls enable more flexible program structures by allowing functions to be called based on runtime conditions rather than static references, making them essential for dynamic execution patterns. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Function_pointer#In_WebAssembly

Shared Memory in WebAssembly allows multiple threads or WebAssembly instances to access the same block of memory. Shared memory is essential for multithreaded applications, as it enables threads to communicate and share data efficiently without copying between separate memory spaces. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Concepts#shared_memory

Linking in WebAssembly refers to the process of combining multiple Wasm modules or external resources together to form a complete application. Linking allows developers to split large applications into smaller modules that can be loaded and executed separately, improving flexibility and modularity. https://github.com/WebAssembly/module-linking

Streaming Instantiation in WebAssembly enables a Wasm module to be compiled and instantiated as it is being downloaded, rather than waiting for the entire module to be loaded. This streaming instantiation reduces latency and improves performance by starting the execution of the module sooner. https://developers.google.com/web/updates/2018/03/wasm-streaming

Table Importing in WebAssembly allows a Wasm module to import function tables from the host environment or other modules. This feature is useful in applications where multiple modules need to share or dynamically modify function tables at runtime, enabling greater flexibility in how modules interact. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Concepts#tables

Memory Importing in WebAssembly allows a module to use a block of memory defined in the host environment rather than allocating its own. Memory importing is useful for applications that need to share memory between Wasm and the host, such as for efficient data processing or cross-module communication. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Understanding_the_text_format#memory

Control Flow in WebAssembly is managed using basic control structures like loops, conditionals, and branches. Control flow in Wasm is designed to be simple and efficient, ensuring that instructions are executed in a predictable manner, which is crucial for performance and security. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Control_flow

Memory Segments in WebAssembly represent the sections of a Wasm module that define initial memory contents. Memory segments allow static data to be preloaded into a module’s memory space at the start of execution, ensuring that necessary data is available without runtime initialization. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Understanding_the_text_format#data

Function Signatures in WebAssembly define the types of parameters and return values for functions. By specifying strict function signatures, Wasm enforces type safety during execution, ensuring that functions are called with the correct types, which reduces the risk of runtime errors. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/WebAssembly/Understanding_the_text_format#function

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