When using JavaScript, excessive event triggers can slow down your application. For instance, a user resizing the browser window or typing in a search bar can cause events to fire repeatedly in a short time, impacting app performance.
This is where throttling and debouncing come to the rescue. They help you manage how often your functions are called when dealing with events that fire too often.
? What is Throttling?
Throttling limits how often a function can be executed. Even if an event happens repeatedly, a throttled function will only run at most once every specified time interval.
Example:
Imagine you're at a concert, and you're taking photos. But you decide to only take one picture every 5 minutes (no matter how exciting the performance gets). That's like throttling. No matter how many photo-worthy moments happen, you'll stick to your rule of one photo every 5 minutes.
In JavaScript, this could be applied when you want to track how often the user scrolls down a page, but you don’t want the function to be triggered every millisecond. With throttling, you control how frequently that function is executed.
Code Example:
function handleScroll() { console.log("Scrolled!"); } window.addEventListener('scroll', throttle(handleScroll, 2000)); function throttle(func, limit) { let lastCall = 0; return function() { const now = new Date().getTime(); if (now - lastCall >= limit) { lastCall = now; func(); } }; }
In this example, the handleScroll function will only run once every 2 seconds (2000 milliseconds) no matter how fast or frequently the user scrolls.
? What is Debouncing?
Debouncing ensures that a function is only called after a certain period of inactivity. If the event keeps firing, the function will keep resetting the timer and only trigger after the event stops.
Example:
Imagine you're in a group chat, and you're typing a message. You don't want to send a notification to your friends every time you press a key. Instead, you want to wait until you've stopped typing for a few seconds before sending a "typing..." notification. That’s debouncing — only sending a notification after a pause in typing.
In JavaScript, debouncing is often used when users type into a search box. Instead of sending a search query after each keystroke, you can wait until the user stops typing for a moment before performing the search.
Code Example:
function handleInput() { console.log("User stopped typing!"); } const inputField = document.querySelector('input'); inputField.addEventListener('input', debounce(handleInput, 500)); function debounce(func, delay) { let timeout; return function() { clearTimeout(timeout); timeout = setTimeout(func, delay); }; }
In this example, the handleInput function will only run after the user has stopped typing for 500 milliseconds.
? When to Use Throttling or Debouncing?
⚡️ Use Throttling when you want to control how often a function is called over time. Good for events like:
=> Scrolling
=> Resizing the window
=> Mouse movements
⚡️ Use Debouncing when you want to ensure that a function is only called after an event has finished firing. Good for events like:
=> Typing in a search bar
=> Form submissions
=> Resizing the window (for actions like layout adjustments)
Conclusion ✅
Throttling and debouncing are great techniques for improving the performance and responsiveness of your JavaScript applications.
They help you manage how often functions are executed, preventing your app from being overwhelmed by too many events.
By understanding when and how to use them, you can keep your code running smoothly even in the busiest of apps!
Happy Coding! ?
The above is the detailed content of Throttling & Debouncing in JavaScript: A Beginners Guide. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

The differences in performance and efficiency between Python and JavaScript are mainly reflected in: 1) As an interpreted language, Python runs slowly but has high development efficiency and is suitable for rapid prototype development; 2) JavaScript is limited to single thread in the browser, but multi-threading and asynchronous I/O can be used to improve performance in Node.js, and both have advantages in actual projects.

JavaScript originated in 1995 and was created by Brandon Ike, and realized the language into C. 1.C language provides high performance and system-level programming capabilities for JavaScript. 2. JavaScript's memory management and performance optimization rely on C language. 3. The cross-platform feature of C language helps JavaScript run efficiently on different operating systems.

JavaScript runs in browsers and Node.js environments and relies on the JavaScript engine to parse and execute code. 1) Generate abstract syntax tree (AST) in the parsing stage; 2) convert AST into bytecode or machine code in the compilation stage; 3) execute the compiled code in the execution stage.

The future trends of Python and JavaScript include: 1. Python will consolidate its position in the fields of scientific computing and AI, 2. JavaScript will promote the development of web technology, 3. Cross-platform development will become a hot topic, and 4. Performance optimization will be the focus. Both will continue to expand application scenarios in their respective fields and make more breakthroughs in performance.

Both Python and JavaScript's choices in development environments are important. 1) Python's development environment includes PyCharm, JupyterNotebook and Anaconda, which are suitable for data science and rapid prototyping. 2) The development environment of JavaScript includes Node.js, VSCode and Webpack, which are suitable for front-end and back-end development. Choosing the right tools according to project needs can improve development efficiency and project success rate.

Yes, the engine core of JavaScript is written in C. 1) The C language provides efficient performance and underlying control, which is suitable for the development of JavaScript engine. 2) Taking the V8 engine as an example, its core is written in C, combining the efficiency and object-oriented characteristics of C. 3) The working principle of the JavaScript engine includes parsing, compiling and execution, and the C language plays a key role in these processes.

JavaScript is at the heart of modern websites because it enhances the interactivity and dynamicity of web pages. 1) It allows to change content without refreshing the page, 2) manipulate web pages through DOMAPI, 3) support complex interactive effects such as animation and drag-and-drop, 4) optimize performance and best practices to improve user experience.

C and JavaScript achieve interoperability through WebAssembly. 1) C code is compiled into WebAssembly module and introduced into JavaScript environment to enhance computing power. 2) In game development, C handles physics engines and graphics rendering, and JavaScript is responsible for game logic and user interface.


Hot AI Tools

Undresser.AI Undress
AI-powered app for creating realistic nude photos

AI Clothes Remover
Online AI tool for removing clothes from photos.

Undress AI Tool
Undress images for free

Clothoff.io
AI clothes remover

Video Face Swap
Swap faces in any video effortlessly with our completely free AI face swap tool!

Hot Article

Hot Tools

SAP NetWeaver Server Adapter for Eclipse
Integrate Eclipse with SAP NetWeaver application server.

Atom editor mac version download
The most popular open source editor

SecLists
SecLists is the ultimate security tester's companion. It is a collection of various types of lists that are frequently used during security assessments, all in one place. SecLists helps make security testing more efficient and productive by conveniently providing all the lists a security tester might need. List types include usernames, passwords, URLs, fuzzing payloads, sensitive data patterns, web shells, and more. The tester can simply pull this repository onto a new test machine and he will have access to every type of list he needs.

Zend Studio 13.0.1
Powerful PHP integrated development environment

EditPlus Chinese cracked version
Small size, syntax highlighting, does not support code prompt function
