What is the performance impact of debounce and throttle in web applications?

What is the performance impact of debounce and throttle in web applications?

Debounce and throttle are techniques used to limit the rate at which a function is executed. Debounce delays the execution until a certain period of inactivity, while throttle ensures a function is executed at most once in a specified time interval. Both can improve performance by reducing the number of function calls, especially in scenarios like scrolling or resizing.

Can you give me an example of when to use debounce?

Sure! A common use case for debounce is in search input fields. When a user types, you can debounce the search function to only trigger after they've stopped typing for a specified duration, reducing the number of API calls.

And what about throttle? When should I use that?

Throttle is useful for events that fire continuously, like scrolling or resizing. For example, if you want to track the scroll position of a user, you can throttle the event handler to execute every 200 milliseconds, ensuring it doesn't overwhelm the browser with too many calls.

What are the performance benefits of using these techniques?

The main benefits include reduced CPU usage, improved responsiveness, and a smoother user experience. By limiting function calls, you can prevent lag and ensure that your application runs efficiently.