What is lazy load?

Lazy loading is a design pattern and optimization technique used to defer the loading of resources until they are actually needed. This means that resources, such as images or other media, are not loaded until the user scrolls to the section of the page where they are required. This can improve the initial loading time of a web page, reduce server load, and save bandwidth, especially on slow or limited connections.

The concept of lazy loading can be applied to various types of resources, including images, videos, scripts, and even entire sections of a web page. By only loading the necessary resources, lazy loading can significantly improve the performance of a website, especially on mobile devices where bandwidth and processing power can be limited.

Lazy loading can be implemented in several ways, including using JavaScript to monitor the position of elements on a page and trigger loading when they are scrolled into view. Another approach is to use the loading attribute in HTML, which allows developers to specify whether and when an image or other resource should be loaded. The browser can then use this information to determine when to load the resource, based on network conditions and the user’s browsing behavior.

There are also a number of libraries and plugins available that implement lazy loading, providing a convenient and easy-to-use solution for developers. These tools can automate the process of detecting when resources are needed and triggering the loading, saving time and reducing the risk of errors in the implementation.

In summary, lazy loading is a powerful technique for optimizing the performance and user experience of a website, by deferring the loading of resources until they are actually needed. By reducing the initial loading time, server load, and bandwidth usage, lazy loading can improve the overall performance and accessibility of a website, especially for users on slow or limited connections.