The Teabag CoderWhat is a requestAnimationFrame?
- A JavaScript method used to create animations that synchronized with the screen's refresh rate
- It tells the browser to call a specified function before the next repaint
Benefits of using requestAnimationFrame?
- By letting the browser handle the timing, ensures smooth performance and reduces the risk of skipping frames
1 - Automatically adjust the frame rate based on device's performance, without you needing to manually control it
2 - It automatically pauses when the tab is not visible, saving resources and preventing unnecessary animations
3
Compare with setInterval
- Executing at the specified interval without considering whether the browser is ready to render the next frame, potentially causing skipped frames
1 - Operates at a fixed rate and doesn't adapt to the user’s device
2 - Continues to run regardless of whether the tab is visible, which wastes CPU cycles and can lead to inefficient use of power and performance issues
3
Compare with CSS animations
| requestAnimationFrame | CSS animations |
|---|---|
| Requires writing JavaScript for each frame of the animation | Implement by defining CSS properties, run automatically. No need to manage frame updates |
| Automatically adjust the frame rate, pauses when the tab is not visible | Runs independently of the JavaScript engine. CSS animations may not pause as efficiently when the tab is not visible |
| Ideal for complex animations that involve multiple elements or need custom control over each frame | Best for simple, declarative animations like fading, scaling, rotating, and moving elements |
That's it! Thank you for reading this far. Till next time!
