Optimization of animations in web applications - what slows them down? What can be done to improve them?

The article on FreeCodeCamp discusses the fundamentals of web animation performance. The author explains that animations can greatly enhance the user experience, but it’s crucial to implement them wisely to avoid overloading the browser. At the beginning of the article, the difference between various types of animations is addressed, highlighting the pros and cons of each approach. In addition, it outlines techniques that can improve animation performance such as utilizing CSS over JavaScript, and leveraging the so-called 'composite layers' to ensure smoother transitions. The article emphasizes the importance of understanding how browsers render animations and the role of the GPU in optimizing performance. Ultimately, for web developers, grasping these concepts can lead to more engaging and fluid user interfaces.