What are reflows and repaints in web development?

What are reflows and repaints in web development?

Reflows and repaints are processes that the browser uses to update the layout and appearance of a webpage. A reflow occurs when the dimensions of an element change, affecting the layout of the page, while a repaint happens when changes are made to the visual appearance without affecting the layout.

Can you give me an example of when a reflow happens?

Sure! A reflow happens when you change the size of an element, like increasing the width of a div. This change can affect the positioning of other elements on the page.

What about repaints? When do they occur?

Repaints occur when you change the color or visibility of an element, such as changing the background color. The layout remains the same, but the visual representation is updated.

How can I minimize reflows and repaints for better performance?

To minimize reflows and repaints, you can batch DOM changes, use CSS for animations instead of JavaScript, and avoid layout thrashing by reading and writing to the DOM in separate operations.