Migrated over 15 million lines of C/C++ code to the web
Months of Partnership
Cost savings on rewrite and maintenance
Expert Team
Client Background
Our client is a global software company known for its suite of creative and productivity tools, serving millions of users worldwide from 1985. One of its flagship products is a professional vector graphic design application, widely used for illustration, layout, and typography across industries such as marketing, publishing, and manufacturing.
Success Metrics
Clear decisions. Predictable outcomes. From insight to impact — with measurable results.
Successful browser-session compatibility
Code reuse of the existing C/C++ core
Reduction in release distribution effort
Months: 12 Migrated lines of C++ code
The problem
The client needed to bring its flagship vector graphics application to the web while preserving the performance and functionality that millions of professionals relied on daily. Rewriting more than 15 million lines of mature C/C++ code accumulated over decades would have introduced significant cost, risk, and delays. The company required a strategy that would enable a browser-based experience, maintain a single core codebase across desktop and web platforms, and reduce long-term maintenance overhead.
The Solution
DevPulse adopted a WebAssembly-based modernization strategy, compiling the existing C/C++ engine for secure, high-performance execution directly in the browser. This approach preserved decades of engineering investment while enabling near-native rendering performance and consistent functionality across Windows, macOS, Linux, and modern web browsers.
Benefits of WebAssembly for this project
Near-native performance
Complex vector rendering runs smoothly in the browser.
Code reuse
The core C++ engine runs across platforms without rewriting it in JavaScript.
Cross-platform consistency
One codebase works on Windows, macOS and all modern browsers.
Simplified maintenance
A shared core streamlines development across desktop and web.
Cloud-ready delivery
The browser version can be embedded or offered as a SaaS product—no installation required.
Faster time to market
New features can be delivered in sync across desktop and web, accelerating release cycles.
Case attributes
Platform
Web
Team Composition
5 C++ WASM Developers
5 Full Stack Developers
PM
5 Manual QA
2 Automation QA
Location
Canada
Technology stack
C/C++, Emscripten SDK, CMake, WebAssembly, JavaScript/ TypeScript, HTML5 Canvas
Browsers
Chrome, Safari, Edge
The Result
The WebAssembly migration successfully transformed the desktop application into a full-featured web product without sacrificing performance or user experience.
By reusing the existing C/C++ core, the client accelerated time to market, preserved decades of proven functionality, and established a unified platform for future innovation. The new browser-based delivery model simplified updates, reduced maintenance complexity, and expanded the product’s reach to users on virtually any device with a modern web browser.
Why This Matters
This modernization initiative did more than extend a desktop application to the web.
It established a future-ready platform that enables faster innovation, supports cloud and SaaS business models, and allows the client to deliver a consistent user experience across devices while continuing to build on decades of proven engineering expertise.
Value Delivered by devPulse
The successful migration to WebAssembly transformed the client’s flagship desktop application into a high-performance web experience while preserving the power and reliability of its proven C++ core. By combining decades of engineering investment with modern browser capabilities, devPulse established a scalable foundation for faster innovation, streamlined operations, and broader market reach.
The application now runs directly in the browser without loss of speed, features, or user experience compared to the native version.
Instead of rewriting from scratch, we reused and modernized the original C++ codebase, safeguarding years of proven development and domain expertise.
Updates can now be deployed instantly to all users via the web, eliminating the need for manual software installations or patches.
Consolidating the codebase for web deployment has reduced the complexity and operational costs associated with managing multiple native versions.
The application is now available to users across any device and operating system with a modern web browser, broadening its potential user base and market impact.
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