Is WebAssembly replacing JavaScript?

Will WebAssembly overtake JavaScript in Web Application coding needs?

Over the years, JavaScript has emerged as the go-to language for programmers who need to their web applications more interactive and user-friendly. But on Tuesday something drastic happened which could change the way we view or use JavaScript programming language.
On Tuesday Firefox 52 became the first browser to support WebAssembly, a new standard “to enable near-native performance for web applications” without a plug-in by pre-compiling code into low-level, machine-ready instructions.
What were the reasons for Firefox ditching two-decade-old JavaScript in favor of the relatively new WebAssembly? In this article, we look at whether WebAssembly will replace JavaScript as the preferred programming language for Web Applications.

JavaScript

JavaScript was first conceived in 1993 in the heady days of Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator. The then king of browsers, Netscape Navigator founder Marc Andreessen believed that Netscape needed a “glue language” to support HTML that would be easy use by Web designers and part-time programmers to assemble components such as images and plugins, where the code could be written directly in the Web page markup. Also Bill Gates’ Microsoft Internet Explorer was eating into market share of Netscape Navigator forcing Andreessen to recruit Brendan Eich with the goal of embedding the Scheme programming language into its Netscape Navigator.
In 1995, JavaScript was developed under the name Mocha, the language was officially called LiveScript when it first shipped in beta releases of Netscape Navigator 2.0 in September 1995, but it was renamed JavaScript when it was deployed in the Netscape Navigator 2.0 beta 3 in December.
Netscape Navigator met its eventual death at the hands of competition from Google;s Chrome, Microsoft’s Internet Explorer and Mozilla’s Firefox.  However, JavaScript lived on to this date powering the way how our webpages look like.
Not to be confused with Java, JavaScript is a high-level, popular, powerful, dynamic, untyped, and interpreted programming language. JavaScript is a scripting language that makes the pages interactive. JavaScript is the most commonly used programming language to create cool websites and games for the web. It derives much of its syntax from The C Language. Through JavaScript, you can add pop-up messages, etc. In recent years, JavaScript has also gained use as the foundation of Node.js, a server technology that among other things enables real-time communication.

WebAssembly

WebAssembly is a comparative tot in programming arena. WebAssembly was first announced on 17 June 2015 and on 15 March 2016 was demonstrated executing Unity’s Angry Bots in Firefox, Chromium, Google Chrome, and Microsoft Edge. WebAssembly or wasm is a low-level programming language for in-browser client-side scripting, which is currently in development. Its initial aim is to support compilation from C and C++, though other source languages such as Rust are also supported.
As it is relatively new, it does not have a rich history to boast of but relies heavily on using the popularity of C and C++ to become the preferred coding language for web application developers.

JavaScript vs WebAssembly

Till a few years back, no one would have imagined a Web Application without JavaScript. It was and still is the go-to programming language for large swathes of web developers. However, with Firefox opting for WebAssembly as preferred coding language for developing native apps and browser plugins, it could mean a turning point in web development and how our browsers work.

Why is WebAssembly superior to JavaScript?

WebAssembly uses C and C++ compilations to make its web apps work. It also supports other source languages such as Rust. But probably WebAssembly’s best weapon against JavaScript is its speed. That is the reason Mozilla trusts its future Firefox browsers with WebAssembly. Mozilla engineer Lin Clark sees this as an inflection point where the speed of browser-based applications increases dramatically.
With smartphones reaching the length and breadth of planet Earth, more and more users are joining the Internet. However, due to vagaries of service providers, the Internet speed is not the same everywhere. This creates a need for superfast web applications and fast loading browser plugins. WebAssembly looks to take JavaScript head-on with its inherent advantage in speed.
David Byrant, Head of Platform Engineering at Mozilla is apparently sold out to WebAssembly. He has written a full-fledged Medium blog post to explain why Firefox is banking on WebAssembly rather than on JavaScript for its Firefox browsers.
Byrant explains that WebAssemly will enable amazing video games and high-performance web apps for things like computer-aided design, video and image editing, and scientific visualization. Over time, many existing productivity apps (e.g. email, social networks, word processing) and JavaScript frameworks will likely use WebAssembly to significantly reduce load times while simultaneously improving performance while running. Unlike other approaches that have required plug-ins to achieve near-native performance in the browser, WebAssembly runs entirely within the Web Platform. This means that developers can integrate WebAssembly libraries for CPU-intensive calculations (e.g. compression, face detection, physics) into existing web apps that use JavaScript for less intensive work.

Will WebAssembly replace JavaScript in popularity among programmers?

It is too early to predict the death of JavaScript. However, technology is a dynamic world and in constant evolution. With virtual reality and augment reality being billed the next technological revolution, the browser are required to deliver web pages at breakneck speeds. WebAssembly is seen as a possible solution to this.
JavaScript was originally intended as a lightweight language for fairly simple scripts. It needed to be easy for novice developers to code in. You know — for relatively simple things like making sure that you fill out a form correctly when you submit it. Web apps written with WebAssembly can run at near-native speeds because, unlike JavaScript, all the code a programmer writes is parsed and compiled ahead of time before reaching the browser. The browser then just sees low-level, machine-ready instructions it can quickly validate, optimize, and run.
Web apps written with WebAssembly can run at near-native speeds because, unlike JavaScript, all the code a programmer writes is parsed and compiled ahead of time before reaching the browser. The browser then just sees low-level, machine-ready instructions it can quickly validate, optimize, and run.
Byrant says that  WebAssembly could change what it means to be a web developer, as well as the fundamental abilities of the web. With WebAssembly and an accompanying set of tools, programs written in languages like C/C++ can be ported to the web so they run with near-native performance. We expect that, as WebAssembly continues to evolve, you’ll also be able to use it with programming languages often used for mobile apps, like Java, Swift, and C#.
However, till the big daddy of web, Google embraces WebAssembly in its Chrome browsers and Chromium project, JavaScript is here to stay. As a wannabe programmer, you could look to taking up WebAssembly as the demand for fast laoding web apps is certainly on the rise.

Popular torrent website ExtraTorrent.cc domain name blocked by Domain Registrar; Moves to alternative Extra.to domain

Popular torrent website ExtraTorrent.cc domain name blocked by Domain Registrar; Moves to alternative Extra.to domain

The torrent community is still reeling from the after effects of the Australian ISP block on The Pirate Bay, ExtraTorrents, RARBG, RARBG and the move by United Kingdom ISPs to send warning letters to torrent downloaders. Now comes, even more, worse news for them. The 2nd most popular torrent website after The Pirate Bay, Extratorrents has lost its popular Extratorrent.CC domain name and has had to move a totally new domain name called Extra.To.
For the uninitiated, ExtraTorrent is one of the world’s largest torrent indexing website and has an Alexa rank of 305 just below the torrent king, The Pirate Bay. Today, the .CC Domain Registrar, Internet BS for Cocos (Keeling) Islands blocked ExtraTorrent from using that particular country domain name. While the Domain Registrar has not given any reason for the blockage but it is felt that the anti-piracy groups and the media companies are behind the blockage. This looks more feasible as the Cocos Islands is governed by Australia which has a history of blocking torrent websites.
As a result, ExtraTorrent has now lost control over it primary domain ExtraTorrent.cc. Since this morning the site’s domain has become unreachable around the world, and a whois search reveals that this is due to a “clienthold” status.

This smartwatch runs Windows, which is actually a Raspberry Pi computer

This smartwatch runs Windows, which is actually a Raspberry Pi computer

A self-proclaimed amateur tech-maker has managed to run the legendary Windows 98 straight from his self-made smart watch. And to do this, all you need is a Raspberry Pi.
The fearless inventor 314REACTOR built a wrist computer out of a Raspberry Pi Model A+ and then put Windows 98 on it. Besides the Pi, the DIY watch also sports a 2.4-inch touchscreen, a modest 1,000 mAh battery as well as a simple on and off switch.
However, in order to complete the entire collection, you will require a few more things. Since Windows 98 isn’t readily available for Raspberry Pi, the cunning Redditor resorted to emulating the system via QEMU.
QEMU.

QEMU is a generic and open source machine emulator and virtualizer, which runs operating systems for any machine, on any supported architecture.
While running a Windows 98 on a tiny DIY watch hardly makes for a smooth performance, which is quite expected, but you can still manage to play some games on the device.

314REACTOR says he was also able to run Minesweeper on the device, although it was pretty slow. He also has plans to try and play Doom.
For more information and tips on how you can build your very own Windows-powered smart watch, check out this page.


Source: TNW

Bitcoin beats gold in price for the first time ever

                Bitcoin beats gold in price for the first time ever 

This is the first time that gold price has trailed behind Bitcoin

For the first time ever, the price of one Bitcoin climbed above the price of one ounce of gold on Thursday.

Around 10:20 a.m. ET. The cryptocurrency jumped up to $1,241.30. In the meantime, gold was around $1,241.25 at the time. However, minutes later, Bitcoin fell below the yellow metal, but then bounced back again.

As of 10:41 a.m. ET yesterday, Bitcoin had increased by 1.8% at $1,248.10, while gold was down 0.6% at $1,242.15.

HMD Global may bring back Nokia N-series along with a new Nokia 3310

HMD Global may bring back Nokia N-series along with a new Nokia 3310

Remember the iconic Nokia’s N-series or even better the block-sized Nokia 3310 handset? All of them might soon make a comeback in a new avatar and with better technology.
Although HMD Global’s Nokia 6 smartphone has been selling like hot cakes in China, the company seems to be thinking of ways to make more profits by bringing some products that sparks nostalgia of the erstwhile Nokia phones.
© Provided by Hindustan Times Reports indicate that a trademark application for Nokia’s N-series has been spotted at China’s patent office. This means that the N-series is just around the corner and we may see the first of the series at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona.
© Provided by Hindustan Times Another report also hints that HMD will bring back an improved or somewhat a successor to the Nokia 3310 feature phone but no further details has emerged.
Nokia’s last N-series phone, the N9, was launched in the 2011. Another N-series tablet was launched later in 2015 -- Nokia N1 tablet. However, it will interesting to see if the brand can make a comeback riding on the nostalgia. The bigger question is will the new devices set new standards as its predecessors

HMD Global is expected to launch its Android-based Nokia P1 smartphone at MWC 2017 later this month. The smartphone is expected to start from $800 (roughly Rs. 54,500) for the 128GB model and cost around $950 (roughly Rs. 64,700) for the 256GB variant as per speculations.YouTube channel named ConceptCreator has also put out a video which clearly shows how the Nokia P1 could look like when it hits the market. According to the video, the P1 comes with a small home button on the front which might double up as the fingerprint sensor. It also shows that the phone, which consists of a metal frame and glass on both sides but with no bezels, has a Carl Zeiss lens-inbuilt camera unit at the rear with triple flash

Smartphones 2016:

 The best you can buy Other dominant features indicate a 3.5-mm headphone jack, USB Type-C charging port and dual stereo speakers. As per leaks, the P1 is expected to feature a 5.3-inch IGZO display and a refreshing rate of 1 to 120 Hz alongside a Corning Gorilla Glass on top. The Nokia P1 is expected to pack Snapdragon 835 SoC coupled with 6GB of RAM. It is expected to run on Android 7.0 Nougat.
© Provided by Hindustan Times In terms of optics, the Nokia P1 smartphone is expected to sport a Zeiss-certified 22.6-megapixel rear camera. The P1, which is IP57-certified, to draw power from a 3,500mAh battery with support for quick charging. A leaked Nokia roadmap suggests that as many as 7 Nokia Android phones are in the works for 2017, with Nokia 6 just the first of these. 

10 natural ingredients that will help you retain perfect skin

10 natural ingredients that will help you retain perfect skin

Who says herbs can only be used to add flavour to food? If used judiciously, they are a good source of vitamin for the skin. According to Ayurveda, natural glowing skin is a reflection of the overall health of a person. Herbs used in Ayurveda are basically used to eliminate the vitiated tri-dosha from the body and purify the skin. Here are 10 herbs which can be used to get a naturally healthy complexion.
1) LICORICE FOR DEPIGMENTATION
Commonly known as mulethi, licorice has a mild smoothening and brightening action that helps in reducing hyper pigmentation and sun damage. Licochalcone A, an active ingredient in licorice acts as a shield and protects the skin from ultraviolet rays and blocks melanin production. The root extracts are potent for red, acne-prone skin and for dull and dehydrated skin. How to use 1tbsp licorice powder and 1 tsp oats powder; make a paste with milk for oily skin and with rosewater for dry skin.
2) SAFFRON FOR RADIANT SKIN
Saffron, or kesar, is an excellent skin toning agent. It helps in eliminating blackheads and unclogging pores. Saffron also scavenges the free radicals and promotes blood circulation to the face, thereby ensuring that the skin looks toned and firm. Its anti-inflammatory nature, due to the presence of antioxidants, enables it to be used in fighting fine lines, and patchy skin. How to use Soak a few filaments in milk. Apply this milk for five to ten minutes.

3) ALMOND TO REMOVE DEAD SKIN CELLS
Almonds are really good for skin as they contain a good amount of vitamin E, an antioxidant, which helps in preventing cell damage and in checking the damage caused by sun's rays. Almond milk especially is rich in proteins and vitamins and helps in keeping the skin hydrated. Almond oil, on the other hand, is a brilliant moisturiser as it contains olein, glyceride and linoleic acid. It works to prevent acne, blackheads, as well as very dry and prickly skin. It helps to bring a glow to your skin and acts as a mild disinfectant for wounds. How to use Soak a few crushed almonds in milk and use it as a scrub.
Also read: Dear men, you need to STOP making these 3 terrible skincare mistakes
4) CINNAMON TO TREAT ACNE
Cinnamon is said to improve fine lines by plumping and firming the skin. This means that using cinnamon can stimulate blood vessels and bring blood to the surface of the skin. Being antiseptic in nature, it also helps in the treatment of acne and pimples. How to use Use a mixture of three drops of cinnamon essential oil and 2 tbsp almond oil. Apply this mixture to fine lines on the skin, avoiding eyes. The skin soon plumps out and fine lines become less visible. You can also mix 1 tbsp cinnamon powder and 3 tbsp honey and apply the paste on pimples.
5) SANDALWOOD FOR OILY SKIN
The toning effects of sandalwood help in shrinking skin pores, thus giving the skin an even texture besides preventing sagging and ageing. Its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and disinfectant properties help in reducing pimples and acne. How to use Mix fuller's earth with sandalwood powder and rosewater; the pack is good for oily skin.
6) TOMATO TO REDUCE OPEN PORES
There are several benefits of tomato juice for the skin; it helps in balancing pH, tightening pores, treating sunburn, reducing irritation and curing acne. Tomato has lycopene which acts as a skin safeguard against sun damage. How to use Use tomato juice alone or along with other beneficial ingredients to maintain healthy skin, as well as to treat common skin problems.
7) WHEATGRASS FOR YOUTHFUL SKIN
Anti-bacterial in nature, wheatgrass detoxifies the body and helps to normalise red blood cell counts. It helps to rejuvenate the body, fights deleterious effects of age, and is referred to as the "plasma of youth." Loaded with vitamins A, C, B complex and E, super oxide dismutase (SOD), chlorophyll, multi minerals, amino acids, and enzymes, it acts as a natural skin ointment against acne and eczema. How to use Helps soothing sunburnt skin. Take 1 tbsp wheatgrass powder, 3 tbsp water and cotton balls. Mix it, apply on the affected area with cotton ball.
8) NUTMEG FOR PUFFINESS
Macelignan present in nutmeg eliminates fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin by replenishing adipose tissue beneath the skin. The stimulating properties of this spice restore and rejuvenate the skin by getting rid of dead cells. Its anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and anti-microbial properties help eliminate pimples and spots. How to use Mix nutmeg powder and milk and apply it as a face pack.
9) NEEM TO GET RID OF BLACKHEADS
Also known as Indian Lilac, neem proves to be a miracle for problematic skin, due to its anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. It is a boon for those with sensitive or oily skin. Neem contains Vitamin C, which helps in getting rid of skin problems like blackheads and pigmentation. How to use Boil a few neem leaves. Strain the liquid and let it cool. Apply to skin as a toner.
10) ASHWAGANDHA TO FIGHT DRY SKIN
Ashwagandha contains high levels of antioxidants that savage the free radicals to fight wrinkles, dark spots, fine lines and blemishes. It also protects from skin cancer and is good for healing wounds. It is also useful for treating keratosis, a condition that leads to rough and dry skin. Consume three grams of ashwagandha with water twice a day to treat it. How to use Take 1 tsp ashwagandha powder and 1tsp sandalwood powder. Mix it with fresh aloe vera pulp to make a paste and apply it as face mask.

EGG Gravy prepared Using 300 EGGS