Enable ref types by default

[Zzzabiyaka]

After Rust 1.82.0 was released enabling reftypes by default for rust wasm target https://blog.rust-lang.org/2024/09/24/webassembly-targets-change-in-default-target-features.html#enabling-reference-types-by-default I think this would be helpful for users to have this enabled by default in runtime as well, so that rust file compiled to wasm with the default flags can be run on wamr compiled with the default flags

[loganek]

I'm not against this change, however, I think by default WAMR tries to be as lean as possible. Not sure if @wenyongh and others have any thoughts on that.

[Zzzabiyaka]

I'm not against this change, however, I think by default WAMR tries to be as lean as possible. Not sure if @wenyongh and others have any thoughts on that.

Thanks, yeah I am happy to discuss that.

I just find the flow to be easier if anyone who just compiled wasm from rust can run it on our runtime without issues.

If wamr needs to be used in prod producing minimal binary possible this can be set overriding the default value

[lum1n0us]

I'm also struggling with this. On one side, ref-types are now part of the specification and should be supported by default by any WebAssembly runtime. On the other side, we need to keep the binary size as small as possible.

Here's a suggestion:

• We always release binaries of iwasm and wamrc that are fully compatible with the specification and offer better performance. This way, users can easily run WebAssembly code from Rust.
• (Optional) We provide separate compilation groups for full specification compatibility and for minimal binary size through something like CMakePresets.json. This allows developers to switch quickly.
• By default, we enable full specification compatibility. I mean enable ref-types by default.

Let's make a vote ?

[wenyongh]

It is good to me if it brings convenience and has little impact on footprint and performance. And yes, not sure what others' opinions are, maybe a vote is better.

[wenyongh]

BTW, if to enable ref-types by default, had better also change the CMakeLists.txt under product-mini/platforms/windows and product-mini/platforms/cosmopolitan.

[Zzzabiyaka]

@wenyongh, how do we run the vote?

should I just ask all TSC members to 👍 or 👎 the initial pr comment?

[lum1n0us]

LGTM

[lum1n0us]

#3913 (comment)

The recent version of the rust toolchain will emit ref types opcodes, need to enable this feature in the iwasm build.

It is a strong reason we need this one now.