What is WebAssemblyTable

What is WebAssemblyTable

WebAssemblyTable is a data structure in WebAssembly that represents a table of function references. It allows for efficient indirect function calls by storing function pointers in a contiguous memory space.

WebAssemblyTable is used in conjunction with WebAssembly’s function types to provide a way to dynamically call functions at runtime. This is particularly useful in scenarios where the exact function to be called is not known until runtime.

The WebAssemblyTable is defined in the WebAssembly specification and can be manipulated using the Table object in JavaScript. This allows developers to interact with the table from their JavaScript code, adding and removing function references as needed.

One of the key benefits of using WebAssemblyTable is its ability to improve performance by reducing the overhead of indirect function calls. By storing function references in a table, the runtime can quickly look up the function to be called without having to perform costly lookups.

WebAssemblyTable is an essential component of WebAssembly modules that make use of dynamic function calls. It provides a way to organize and manage function references in a structured manner, improving the overall efficiency of the code.

Developers can interact with WebAssemblyTable using the Table object in JavaScript, which provides methods for adding, removing, and querying function references within the table.

Overall, WebAssemblyTable plays a crucial role in optimizing the performance of WebAssembly applications by providing a streamlined way to handle indirect function calls.

In conclusion, WebAssemblyTable is a fundamental data structure in WebAssembly that enables efficient indirect function calls and improves the overall performance of WebAssembly applications.