WASI

Definitions

1. WebAssembly System Interface — a standardized API for WebAssembly modules to interact with the operating system (files, network, clocks, random numbers) in a portable, sandboxed way. Enables Wasm to run outside the browser as a universal runtime. Solomon Hykes (Docker creator): 'If WASM+WASI existed in 2008, we wouldn't have needed Docker.'

   In plain English: A standard that lets WebAssembly programs access files and networks safely, enabling them to run anywhere, not just in browsers.

   Example: "Compile to WASM+WASI and the same binary runs on Linux, macOS, the browser, and edge workers — truly write once, run anywhere."

Related Terms

• Blazor
• .NET
• JIT
• JVM
• Node
• V8 Isolate
• Garbage Collection Pause
• Bytecode