By Vishal Basumatary in javascript — Mar 24, 2023

requestanimationframe in javascript

requestAnimationFrame in JavaScript

requestAnimationFrame is a function in JavaScript that is used to schedule the rendering of an animation on the next repaint of the browser window. It is similar to the setInterval function, but instead of repeatedly calling a function after a set time interval, requestAnimationFrame will only call the function when the browser is ready to repaint.

How to use requestAnimationFrame

To use requestAnimationFrame, you simply need to pass a callback function to it. This callback function will be called when the browser is ready to repaint. Here is an example:


function animate() {
  // code to update animation
  requestAnimationFrame(animate);
}
requestAnimationFrame(animate);

In this example, the animate function is called recursively using requestAnimationFrame. This will update the animation and schedule the next repaint of the browser window.

Benefits of using requestAnimationFrame

There are several benefits to using requestAnimationFrame over setInterval or setTimeout:

It synchronizes animations with the browser's refresh rate, resulting in smoother animations and less flickering.
It reduces unnecessary processing, as it will only call the animation function when the browser is ready to repaint.
It is more efficient for battery life, as it reduces the amount of processing that needs to be done.

Alternative ways to use requestAnimationFrame

There are several alternative ways to use requestAnimationFrame:

You can use it with CSS transitions and animations to create more complex animations.
You can use it with the canvas element to create more complex graphics and animations.
You can use it with the Web Audio API to create interactive audio experiences.

Overall, requestAnimationFrame is a powerful tool for creating smooth, efficient, and engaging animations in JavaScript. It is easy to use and provides many benefits over traditional animation techniques.