Deferred loading, also known as lazy loading, refers to the technique of loading JavaScript (or other resources) only when they are needed rather than during the initial page load. This improves page performance, especially in large applications, by reducing the initial load time. jQuery, being a JavaScript library, can be deferred to ensure it does not block the rendering of the page or slow down the user experience.
Deferred loading is a technique where JavaScript resources (like jQuery) are loaded only when they are required. For example, a webpage might not need jQuery immediately on load. If the jQuery script is deferred, the browser can focus on rendering the page first, improving user experience.
defer
AttributeThe defer
attribute tells the browser to load the jQuery script in the background after the HTML content is rendered.
Deferred Loading of jQuery
Hello, World!
defer
ensures the script is downloaded while the browser continues rendering, but executed only after the page finishes parsing.async
AttributeThe async
attribute loads the jQuery script asynchronously. It allows the script to download in parallel with other resources but doesn’t guarantee execution order, which could be problematic in cases where jQuery needs to execute after the DOM is fully loaded.
Async Loading of jQuery
Welcome to Deferred Loading
async
Attribute: Scripts with the async
attribute are downloaded in parallel with page content and are executed as soon as they are available.async
for libraries like jQuery can be tricky.async
cautiously, as it can break your JavaScript logic if dependencies are not properly managed.Sometimes, jQuery might only be necessary under certain conditions. Using conditional loading techniques ensures that jQuery is loaded only when required, reducing the page’s footprint.
You may defer jQuery loading until the user performs a specific action, like clicking a button or scrolling to a certain part of the page.
async
and defer
TogetherIt’s possible to combine these techniques to optimize jQuery loading while ensuring it does not block rendering. Although the async
attribute can be useful, it’s generally safer to use defer
when dealing with libraries that depend on DOM readiness.
Deferred loading of jQuery is a powerful optimization technique for enhancing web page performance. By deferring the load of jQuery, you can improve the initial rendering speed and ensure better user experiences, especially on mobile devices or in applications where every millisecond counts. Techniques like using the defer and async attributes, conditional loading, and loading based on user interaction provide flexibility in how you handle jQuery’s loading behavior. Happy Coding!❤️