Most React developers have faced the problem: a search input that fires an API call on every single keystroke , or a scroll handler that runs hundreds of times per second. It wastes bandwidth, clogs the main thread, and creates a terrible user experience. The fix is straightforward — you need to control how often your functions run . That's where debounce and throttle come in. They're two related but distinct techniques for limiting function execution frequency. Knowing which one to pick saves you from subtle bugs and performance headaches. 👉 Try it in practice: useDebounce vs useThrottle Debounce: wait until things settle Debounce delays execution until a certain amount of time has passed without any new calls . Think of an elevator door — it starts closing, but if someone walks in, it reopens and waits again. The door only actually closes once people stop arriving. In code, debounce is the go-to choice for search inputs . You don't want to query your API on "r" , "re" , "rea" , "reac" , "react" .…