WASM is supposed to be 'assembly' level a little bit like java bytecodes. So it's lower level than 'strings'. But as you have pointed out, the missing layer on

WASM is supposed to be 'assembly' level a little bit like java bytecodes. So it's lower level than 'strings'. But as you have pointed out, the missing layer on top i.e. the 'thing we can practically use' is a big gaping hole and it's a little bit diabolical. The fact that JS has gotten so much faster and the lack of both higher-level abstractions and notably a really good 'bridge' to JS means it's lagged in terms of material applicability.