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How to debug Wasm and achieve a reliable stack trace

Blog post from LogRocket

Post Details
Company
Date Published
Author
Nahla Davies
Word Count
1,248
Language
-
Hacker News Points
-
Summary

WebAssembly (Wasm) is a powerful tool that allows developers to run code from languages like Rust and C within web browsers at near-native speeds, serving as a lightweight alternative to Docker for fast sandboxing. It operates with a platform-independent interface like WASI to enable file system access and basic functions, and it works closely with JavaScript, making it accessible even to those unfamiliar with Wasm-specific coding. Despite its advantages, debugging Wasm poses challenges due to complex bugs and limited compatibility with traditional debugging tools like DWARF. However, developers can employ workarounds such as source maps and stack unwinding, which help in tracing and resolving errors. The DWARF standard, though not fully functional with Wasm, can be adapted by separating debug data from the main executable file, thus facilitating more effective debugging. The integration of Wasm with JavaScript and other modules, while beneficial, also adds complexity to debugging due to isolated module environments and shared function indices. Despite these challenges, Wasm remains a valuable asset for creating efficient and secure web applications, especially in the cloud and SaaS industries, where cross-browser compatibility and a positive customer experience are crucial.