Abstract

JavaScript remains the dominant language for client-side scripting, while Web Assembly offers near-native execution speeds, making it a compelling choice for computationally intensive tasks. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the performance differences between Web Assembly and JavaScript across various computing environments, including different browsers (Firefox, Chrome, Edge) and platforms (desktop and mobile).

To evaluate computational efficiency, we conducted a series of benchmark tests, including integer operations (Sieve of Er- Antisthenes, sorting algorithms), floating-point calculations (numerical integration, Monte Car lo method) and recursive computations (Fibonacci sequence, matrix multiplication). Additionally, we investi gated the impact of Web Assembly on ma- chine learning workloads by utilizing minimalist implementations such as Tiny DNN for digit classification on the MNIST dataset. Our findings indicate that Web Assembly consistently outperforms JavaScript in CPU-bound tasks, particularly in integer operations and recursive computations. However, JavaScript's just-in-time (JIT) compilation allows it to remain competitive in some f loating-point calculations.

One focus of our study was the application of Web Assembly in browser-based machine learning. We exam ined the performance of lightweight neural network implementations, emphasizing Web Assembly's ability to accelerate tensor computations directly in the browser. This capability is crucial for deploying AI models on the client side, reducing reliance on cloud-based services, improving privacy, and minimizing latency. Our analysis also explores Web Assembly's potential for real-time applications such as image classification, object detection, and natural language processing.

Beyond raw performance metrics, this study assesses the broader implications of Web Assembly's adoption in web development. One of its key advantages is its ability to support multiple programming languages, in cluding Rust, C, and C++, allowing developers to leverage high-performance libraries within the browser environment. Additionally, Web Assembly's sandboxing mechanisms enhance security by isolating execution, reducing potential attack vectors compared to traditional JavaScript-based applications.

Despite its advantages, Web Assembly has limitations. Execution performance varies across browsers, and its integration with JavaScript-based applications presents challenges due to data serialization overhead. Moreover, Web Assembly lacks direct access to the DOM, necessitating JavaScript as an intermediary for UI interactions.

As Web Assembly continues to evolve, its role in performance- critical web applications is expected to expand, particularly in fields such as cryptography, data processing, and real-time machine learning.

DOI: doi.org/10.63721/25JPAIR0111

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