How to Perform Debounce?

Debouncing is a technique used in JavaScript to limit the number of times a function gets called. It is particularly useful when dealing with events that trigger frequently, such as scroll, resize, or input events. By implementing debounce, we can ensure that our function is only executed once after a specified delay, even if the event fires multiple times within that delay.

Using setTimeout

One way to perform debounce is by using the setTimeout function. Here’s an example:

function debounce(func, delay) {
    let timeoutId;
    
    return function() {
        clearTimeout(timeoutId);
        timeoutId = setTimeout(func, delay);
    };
}

// Usage
const debounceFunc = debounce(() => {
    console.log('This function will be debounced');
}, 300);

window.addEventListener('scroll', debounceFunc);

In this example, we define a debounce function that takes in a function to be debounced and a delay time. It returns a new function that clears any existing timeout and sets a new one using setTimeout. The debounce function is then assigned to the event listener, ensuring that the debounced function is called only after the specified delay.

Using Lodash

Lodash is a popular JavaScript utility library that provides a debounce function out of the box. Here’s how you can use it:

// Import Lodash
import { debounce } from 'lodash';

// Define your function
function myFunction() {
    console.log('This function will be debounced');
}

// Debounce the function
const debouncedFunc = debounce(myFunction, 300);

// Usage
window.addEventListener('scroll', debouncedFunc);

In this example, we import the debounce function from Lodash and use it to debounce our function. The debounced function is then assigned to the event listener, ensuring that it is only called once after the specified delay.

Final Thoughts

Debouncing is a powerful technique that can help optimize performance and prevent unnecessary function calls. Whether you choose to implement it manually using setTimeout or utilize a library like Lodash, debounce can be a valuable tool in your JavaScript arsenal.

How to Perform Debounce?