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Module 21: Performance Optimization (SAPUI5)

Performance is a first-class requirement in enterprise SAPUI5 applications.
Slow UI directly impacts user adoption, productivity, and business trust.

This module covers proven techniques to optimize SAPUI5 applications at scale.

1. Why Performance Optimization Matters​

Common Performance Symptoms​

  • Slow app startup
  • Laggy tables
  • UI freezing during operations
  • High memory usage
Reality Check

Most performance issues come from poor binding and data handling, not the framework.

2. Lazy Loading Views​

What is Lazy Loading?​

Lazy loading ensures:

  • Views
  • Controllers
  • Dependencies

are loaded only when required.

How UI5 Supports Lazy Loading​

  • Routing loads views on demand
  • Components are loaded dynamically
  • Async view loading
Best Practice

Always use routing-based navigation.

Async View Configuration (manifest.json)​

"routing": {
  "config": {
    "async": true
  }
}

3. Reduce Re-Rendering​

What Causes Re-Rendering?​

  • Frequent model refresh
  • Deep binding paths
  • Heavy formatters
  • Direct control manipulation

Best Practices to Reduce Re-Rendering​

Follow These
  • Update specific properties, not whole models
  • Use element binding
  • Avoid calling rerender() manually

Example: Targeted Update​

oModel.setProperty("/status", "Approved");

4. Model Size Optimization​

Problem: Large Payloads​

  • Slower load times
  • Higher memory usage
  • Poor table performance

Optimization Techniques​

Follow These
  • Use $select to limit fields
  • Use $filter to reduce rows
  • Use $expand sparingly

Backend Responsibility​

Full-Stack Insight

Performance starts in CDS and OData design, not UI.

5. Avoiding Heavy Bindings​

Heavy Binding Anti-Patterns​

Avoid These
  • Formatters in large tables
  • Deep binding paths (/a/b/c/d)
  • Two-way binding everywhere
  • Binding inside loops

Preferred Alternatives​

Better Approaches
  • Use element binding
  • Use expression binding for simple logic
  • Pre-calculate values in model

6. Table Performance​

Table Performance Killers​

  • Loading too many rows
  • Complex controls in cells
  • Client-side filtering

Best Practices for Tables​

Follow These
  • Use growing="true" for sap.m.Table
  • Limit visible columns
  • Use text controls in cells
  • Prefer server-side paging

Example: Growing Table​

<Table
  growing="true"
  growingThreshold="20"
  items="{/SalesOrderSet}">
</Table>

7. UI5 Best Practices (Performance-Focused)​

General Best Practices​

Follow These
  • Keep controllers thin
  • Use JSONModel for UI state
  • Cache fragments and dialogs
  • Use async APIs
  • Clean up resources on exit

Memory Management​

onExit: function () {
  if (this._oDialog) {
    this._oDialog.destroy();
  }
}

8. Performance Debugging Tools​

Useful Tools​

ToolPurpose
Chrome DevToolsNetwork & JS profiling
UI5 Support AssistantBest practice checks
Network tabPayload inspection
Note

UI5 performance issues are usually visible in network traces.

9. Common Performance Mistakes​

Avoid These
  • Full model refreshes
  • Overusing MessageBox
  • Deep nested layouts
  • Ignoring growing/paging

10. Interview-Grade Explanation​

Q: How do you optimize performance in SAPUI5?

Answer:

I optimize UI5 performance by lazy loading views, minimizing model payload using $select and $filter, reducing re-rendering through targeted model updates, avoiding heavy bindings and formatters, and optimizing table usage with server-side paging and growing.

11. Summary​

  • Lazy loading improves startup
  • Reduce unnecessary re-rendering
  • Optimize model size
  • Avoid heavy bindings
  • Table design impacts performance heavily
  • Performance requires UI + backend alignment

12. What’s Next?​

➡️ Module 22: Error Handling & Logging in SAPUI5

Learning Tip

Performance problems are architectural — fix the design, not the symptom.