What is Throttling?
Throttling is a way to limit how often something can happen, like slowing down the number of requests a computer program can send in a given time. It makes sure resources aren’t overwhelmed and everything runs smoothly.
Let's break it down
- Limit: set a maximum amount.
- How often: the frequency or rate of actions (e.g., requests per second).
- Something can happen: any operation such as loading a webpage, sending an email, or running a function.
- Resources: things like server CPU, memory, network bandwidth, or API usage quotas.
- Overwhelmed: when too many actions happen at once, causing slowdowns or crashes.
- Runs smoothly: the system stays responsive and reliable.
Why does it matter?
If you don’t control the flow of requests, servers can get overloaded, leading to slow performance, errors, or even downtime. Throttling protects both the service provider and the user by keeping the experience stable and preventing costly outages.
Where is it used?
- Web APIs: Services like Twitter or Google Maps limit how many calls a developer can make per minute.
- Mobile apps: Apps restrict how often they poll for updates to save battery and data.
- Network routers: They throttle bandwidth for certain users or applications to ensure fair usage.
- Email marketing platforms: They pace out bulk email sends to avoid being flagged as spam.
Good things about it
- Prevents server crashes and keeps services available.
- Improves overall performance by avoiding resource spikes.
- Helps stay within usage limits set by third-party providers.
- Enhances user experience with more predictable response times.
- Can be tuned dynamically to match current load conditions.
Not-so-good things
- May introduce delays that frustrate users expecting instant results.
- Requires careful configuration; too strict limits can block legitimate traffic.
- Adds complexity to code and infrastructure to monitor and adjust limits.
- Can be bypassed if not implemented securely, leading to abuse.