What is lazy loading versus eager loading of images?
PICTURE THIS: RAG CHATBOT
Simple meaning
Lazy loading waits until the image is near the viewport, saving bandwidth.
WHY — Performance instead of guessing?
Why interviewers care about Performance:
contrast on Performance, not two memorised paragraphs.
the developer, then one case where picking wrong hurts.
Name the idea, why it exists, then one short example.
End with when you use it and one common pitfall.
STEPS — What happens step by step?
Before you speak the answer, walk the interviewer through these steps:
- 1Lazy loading waits until
the image is near the viewport, saving bandwidth.
- 2Eager is for the
LCP image so it starts immediately.
- 3Loading lazy on the
hero can hurt LCP, which is a common product-company trap.
- 4Give an example
One tiny concrete case you can say aloud.
- 5Common mistake
What juniors usually get wrong.
- 6Close
When you pick this over the alternative.
EXAMPLE — See it in action
Here's a short line you can speak, broken into clear beats:
Note: Adapt this scaffold to your own project — keep it under 60–90 seconds.
Key takeaway
Lazy loading waits until the image is near the viewport, saving bandwidth. Eager is for the LCP image so it starts immediately.