Pharo Smalltalk now runs in the browser via WebAssembly

Pharo Smalltalk can now run directly in the browser. According to the report, users can drag and drop a Smalltalk .st file, a Pharo .zip archive, or an .image file together with its .changes and .sources files to open it right in the browser. This removes the need for a local installation just to try Pharo out.

WebAssembly is doing the work behind the scenes. The technology lets browsers run applications at near-native speed, so a development environment as distinctive as Smalltalk can start with little more than a page load.

The notable detail is that a Pharo image file can be run together with its accompanying .changes and .sources files, not on its own. In a Smalltalk environment these files carry the history of the code and the source definitions, which matters for opening a complete environment. The article says these files can also be added through the same drag-and-drop flow.

The development opens a practical door for anyone who wants to learn Smalltalk or quickly try an existing project. Reaching a full development environment through a browser tab removes the setup barrier in both learning and quick experimentation.