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Software Engineering Daily
How Google Sheets Uses WasmGC with Michael Thomas and Thomas Steiner
Aug 27, 2024
00:00
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Michael Thomas, the Multiplatform Lead for Google Workspace, and Thomas Steiner, a Developer Relations Engineer at Google, discuss the ambitious shift of Google Sheets from a Java-based calculation engine to using WebAssembly Garbage Collection. They dive into the performance enhancements achieved through this transition and the challenges faced, including adapting existing JavaScript libraries. The conversation also touches on the evolving roles within Google and the broader implications of WebAssembly for multi-platform application development, signaling a bright future for web performance.
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Quick takeaways
- The transition of Google Sheets' calculation engine from JavaScript to WasmGC significantly enhanced performance, doubling its execution speed while managing complex operations effectively.
- The porting process highlighted challenges in performance measurement due to privacy concerns, necessitating innovative solutions that leveraged optimized JavaScript APIs for improved efficiency.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Google Sheets' Calculation Engine
Google Sheets' calculation engine was originally developed in Java and operated on the server until it transitioned to running in the browser using JavaScript in 2013. The recent upgrade involves porting its calculation worker from JavaScript to WebAssembly Garbage Collection (Wasm GC), marking a significant technical advancement. This change allows for improved performance, as calculations, which were constrained by JavaScript's limitations, can now be executed more efficiently through Wasm GC. The engine now supports complex operations without hindering user experience, allowing for background calculations while users interact with the sheet.
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