When building drag-and-drop interfaces with SortableJS, focusing on both performance and usability is crucial, especially as your lists grow in size or complexity. Handling large lists efficiently means you need to be mindful of how the browser processes changes to the Document Object Model (DOM).

One of the best practices is to minimize DOM reflows by batching DOM updates or using techniques such as requestAnimationFrame to schedule visual changes. This reduces the computational load and prevents the interface from lagging as items are moved.

Another important aspect is providing smooth drag feedback. Users expect immediate and clear visual cues when dragging items. To achieve this:

• Avoid heavy computations or style recalculations during drag operations;
• Use lightweight CSS transitions and limit the number of style changes applied in real time;
• Ensure that drag handles and drop targets are visually distinct to help users understand where items can be moved, enhancing overall usability.

When working with SortableJS, you should also be aware of common pitfalls. One frequent mistake is allowing too many simultaneous event listeners, which can degrade performance, especially with large or nested lists. Another is relying too heavily on inline styles or frequent DOM manipulations, which can trigger unnecessary reflows and repaints. To avoid these issues:

• Prefer using CSS classes for state changes;
• Limit direct DOM manipulations during drag events.

Always test your drag-and-drop interfaces across different devices and browsers. Mobile devices, in particular, may handle touch events differently, so ensuring consistent feedback and performance is essential for user satisfaction.

When working with SortableJS, you should also be aware of common pitfalls. One frequent mistake is allowing too many simultaneous event listeners, which can degrade performance, especially with large or nested lists. Another is relying too heavily on inline styles or frequent DOM manipulations, which can trigger unnecessary reflows and repaints. To avoid these issues:

• Prefer using CSS classes for state changes;
• Limit direct DOM manipulations during drag events.

Lastly, always test your drag-and-drop interfaces across different devices and browsers. Mobile devices may handle touch events differently, so ensuring consistent feedback and performance is essential for user satisfaction.