The role of Dylibso in enabling continuous integration and continuous deployment for Wasm modules

WebAssembly (Wasm) is a binary instruction format that enables the execution of code in web browsers at near-native speeds. Wasm modules are becoming increasingly popular for web development due to their efficiency and portability. However, deploying Wasm modules can be a challenge, especially when it comes to continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD). That's where Dylibso comes in. In this article, we will explore the role of Dylibso in enabling CI/CD for Wasm modules.

What is Dylibso?

Dylibso is a library that provides a dynamic linker for Wasm modules. It allows Wasm modules to be linked with other modules at runtime, enabling dynamic loading and unloading of modules. This makes it possible to implement plugins and other dynamic features in Wasm modules.

Dylibso is based on the Linux dynamic linker, ld.so, and can be used with any Wasm runtime that supports the Wasm dynamic linking proposal. It is written in C++ and is available under the Apache License 2.0.

Why is Dylibso important for CI/CD?

Continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) are essential practices in modern software development. They enable teams to deliver software quickly and reliably by automating the build, test, and deployment processes. However, deploying Wasm modules can be challenging, especially when it comes to managing dependencies and ensuring compatibility with different platforms.

Dylibso helps to address these challenges by providing a dynamic linking solution for Wasm modules. This means that developers can build Wasm modules with their dependencies included, and the dependencies can be loaded at runtime, rather than being statically linked into the module. This makes it easier to manage dependencies and ensures compatibility with different platforms.

Dylibso also enables the creation of plugin architectures for Wasm modules. This means that developers can create modular applications that can be extended at runtime with additional functionality. This is particularly useful for web applications, where plugins can be used to add new features or customize the user experience.

How does Dylibso work?

Dylibso works by providing a dynamic linker for Wasm modules. When a Wasm module is loaded, Dylibso reads the module's dynamic section and resolves any external symbols. It then loads any shared libraries that the module depends on and resolves any symbols in those libraries.

Dylibso uses a dynamic symbol table to track the symbols in the module and the shared libraries. This allows it to resolve symbols at runtime and ensure that the correct version of a symbol is used.

Dylibso also supports lazy loading of shared libraries. This means that a shared library is only loaded when it is needed, rather than being loaded when the module is loaded. This can help to reduce the memory footprint of applications that use Dylibso.

How to use Dylibso in CI/CD?

Using Dylibso in CI/CD is straightforward. Developers can build their Wasm modules with Dylibso enabled and include any dependencies as shared libraries. When the module is deployed, the shared libraries can be loaded at runtime using Dylibso.

Dylibso can also be used to create plugins for Wasm modules. Developers can build a plugin as a separate Wasm module and load it at runtime using Dylibso. This makes it possible to extend the functionality of an application without having to modify the original code.

Conclusion

Dylibso is an essential tool for enabling continuous integration and continuous deployment for Wasm modules. It provides a dynamic linking solution that makes it easier to manage dependencies and ensures compatibility with different platforms. Dylibso also enables the creation of plugin architectures for Wasm modules, making it possible to create modular applications that can be extended at runtime. If you are developing Wasm modules, Dylibso is definitely worth considering as a tool to streamline your CI/CD processes.