July 12th, 2024

CheerpX is x86 virtualization to run executables and OS client-side

CheerpX is a JavaScript library enabling x86 virtualization for running executables and OS client-side. It supports 32-bit x86 binaries and Linux distributions without modifications, enhancing web-based environments with cost-effective, secure solutions.

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CheerpX is x86 virtualization to run executables and OS client-side

CheerpX is a JavaScript library offering x86 virtualization for running executables and operating systems client-side, powered by a WebAssembly JIT engine. It allows running existing 32-bit x86 native binaries and Linux distributions without modifications, recompilation, or source code, making it ideal for web-based IDEs, tutorials, and secure sandboxes. CheerpX distinguishes itself from cloud VMs by being cost-effective, improving user experience, ensuring data privacy, and enhancing security. It also outperforms WebContainers by supporting any x86 executable, not limited to Node.js or WebAssembly. Compared to porting to WebAssembly, CheerpX simplifies the process by automating code generation and handling runtime modifications efficiently. Additionally, CheerpX surpasses v86/JSLinux by implementing Linux system calls instead of emulating hardware peripherals, offering better scalability and support as a commercial product. The technology focuses on user mode emulation and is expanding to include full system emulation capabilities. CheerpX's community support includes a Discord channel for questions and discussions.

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By @emmanueloga_ - 6 months
I stumbled upon Leaningetch in the past looking for a way to compile Java to JavaScript. This is a company that found a niche in "modernizing" old software, like, serving customers that still have mission-critical software written as a C++/MFC or even Java Applets and help them keep that software alive.

There's nothing wrong with their niche, but I feel like there's a big disconnect to what could be attractive to the HN crowd. In particular:

> WebVM is released under the Apache License, Version 2.0 [...] free to use for technological exploration, testing and non-commercial uses. [...] If you want to build a product on top of CheerpX/WebVM, please get in touch: sales@leaningtech.com. [0]

Embarcadero is another company that releases great-looking tech but I would personally not want to dig too much into [1], because of the involved costs.

--

0: https://github.com/leaningtech/webvm?tab=readme-ov-file#lice...

1: https://www.embarcadero.com/

By @password4321 - 6 months
As discussed on the front page last week emulating Linux syscalls, it took a while to notice it's closed source.

WebVM is a server-less virtual Linux environment running client-side

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40940225

By @userbinator - 6 months
The description is very perplexing. Especially the "entirely client-side" phrase. Isn't that how VMs normally work?

Looking at it further, this has very little to do with "virtualization". It's just another emulator.