The Lazy Loading pattern
The Lazy Loading pattern is a critical design approach in software engineering, particularly useful in optimizing performance and resource management. The idea with lazy loading is to defer the initialization or loading of resources to the moment they are really needed. This way, applications can achieve more efficient resource utilization, reduce initial load times, and enhance the overall user experience.
Real-world examples
Browsing an online art gallery provides a first example. Instead of waiting for hundreds of high-resolution images to load upfront, the website loads only images currently in view. As you scroll, additional images load seamlessly, enhancing your browsing experience without overwhelming your device’s memory or network bandwidth.
Another example is an on-demand video streaming service, such as Netflix or YouTube. Such a platform offers an uninterrupted viewing experience by loading videos in chunks. This approach not only...