Wasmer has released a major update to its WebAssembly runtime, called Wasmer 7. This new version introduces an experimental async API that brings full support for asynchronous functions in Python. It also expands the platform’s capabilities by enabling dynamic linking in WASIX, opening the door for more complex Python packages to run smoothly.

Boosting Python Compatibility with Async Support

The new async API in Wasmer 7 is still experimental but already powerful. It allows Python developers to run async functions seamlessly, making it possible to use popular libraries like SQLAlchemy that rely on async features. This support is available across multiple back ends, including Singlepass, Cranelift, and LLVM, providing flexibility for different use cases.

With this update, Python code that uses asynchronous programming can run more efficiently within WebAssembly environments. Previously, such support was limited or unavailable, which made it hard to port complex Python apps. Now, developers can take advantage of full async support inside Wasmer, improving performance and enabling new possibilities for Python in WebAssembly.

More Support for Native Libraries and Faster Builds

Wasmer 7 also makes a big leap by supporting dynamic linking in WASIX, the extension to the WebAssembly System Interface (WASI). This change means that many native Python libraries, such as Numpy and Pydantic, can now run without issues. Before this, support was limited mostly to the core Python interpreter, which restricted the use of native modules.

This enhancement significantly broadens what can be done with Python in WebAssembly, allowing more complex packages to work natively. It removes previous limitations and makes Wasmer a more viable option for deploying Python apps that depend on native code. The update also includes improvements to the Cranelift compiler, which now supports WebAssembly exceptions using new APIs, making error handling more robust.

Additional optimizations include a progress bar when building large modules with LLVM. When compiling big packages like Python or PHP, certain heavy functions are optimized to compile faster, reducing build times dramatically. For example, building Python now takes about 10 seconds instead of 90, saving developers a lot of time during deployment.

Expanded RISC-V Support and Other Technical Improvements

Another notable upgrade is the enhanced support for RISC-V, a popular architecture for embedded systems and future hardware. Wasmer 7 now supports the Singlepass compiler on RISC-V, along with the LLVM RV32gc target. These additions make it easier to run WebAssembly on a wider range of devices, including low-power and embedded systems.

Overall, Wasmer 7 introduces a suite of improvements that make WebAssembly a more flexible and powerful platform for Python developers. The combination of async support, native library compatibility, faster build times, and broader architecture support shows a clear focus on making WebAssembly more accessible and efficient for real-world applications.

As WebAssembly continues to grow, updates like these help boost its adoption in the Python community and beyond. Developers can now experiment with more complex projects inside WebAssembly environments, opening up new opportunities for deployment, performance, and portability.

Inspired by

• https://www.infoworld.com/article/4125985/wasmer-beefs-up-python-support.html

Sources

• wasmer.io