After years of active development, and the release of multiple demos and previews, we are excited to announce the launch of CheerpX 1.0, a WebAssembly-based virtualisation engine for x86 binaries.
This technology marks a significant leap in web development, enabling the execution of unmodified x86 binaries directly within the browser. CheerpX allows executable components to be run client-side, with no need for compilation to WebAssembly, or for server-side execution. It exposes a simple, but very powerful API allowing Web developers to seamlessly integrate binary components in their Web applications.
Read the full technical release here.
Why CheerpX?
CheerpX expands the possibilities of web development by allowing client-side execution of binary components written in any language. This offers numerous advantages, including:
- Enhanced user privacy
- Improved scalability
- Reduced operational costs
- Increased reliability
- The ability to run programs with third-party binary dependencies
Unlike traditional WebAssembly approaches limited to languages like C++, Rust and Go, CheerpX supports x86 binaries without requiring source code, addressing a critical gap for enterprise software. This enables developers to seamlessly integrate JavaScript web frameworks with components compiled to WebAssembly and any necessary third-party binary dependencies within a browser.
Real-World Applications
CheerpX unlocks completely new possibilities for web applications:
- REPL environments for languages like Python or C++, executing client-side, with minimal server infrastructure, and unlimited scalability.
- HTTP servers or Microservices running completely within the browser.
- Full Linux environments can be enabled via the KMS Linux API, such as WebVM.
Thanks to CheerpX and WebAssembly, we expect developers to soon be able to run Docker containers and full Windows applications (via WINE) in the browser.
A new platform technology
CheerpX redefines the browser as a platform, empowering developers to integrate native applications into web environments. This is a foundational step towards making the browser capable of running virtually any application.
CheerpX represents a step change in the execution model of Web applications, enabling the migration of server-side components to the client-side, reducing infrastructural costs, and enhancing scalability.
With its unique ability to virtualize x86 binaries, CheerpX paves the way for the next generation of web applications. This release follows the success of Cheerp in 2014 and CheerpJ in 2018, marking our third major technology release in our ten-year history.
Explore the future of web development with CheerpX 1.0. Visit cheerpx.io to learn more.
