To address memory leaks, profile your app's memory usage, identify the source of leaks, and ensure proper resource cleanup.

Memory leaks can severely degrade the performance of your application, leading to crashes and unresponsiveness. When dealing with memory leaks, the first step is to profile your app's memory usage. Use built-in profiling tools available in browsers or development environments, such as Chrome’s DevTools or Node.js' built-in profiler, to monitor memory allocation over time. These tools can help visualize memory usage and highlight areas where memory consumption is increasing unexpectedly. Once you’ve identified that a memory leak exists, the next step is to trace its source. Common sources of memory leaks include global variables, event listeners that are not removed, and closures retaining references to objects that are no longer needed. Use the profiler to examine heap snapshots and identify objects that should have been garbage collected but are still present. Pay attention to large objects or arrays that remain in memory longer than expected. After identifying the source, implement proper resource cleanup to mitigate the leaks. For instance, ensure that event listeners are removed when no longer needed, particularly in single-page applications where components can be destroyed and recreated. If your application uses frameworks like React or Angular, make sure to clean up resources in lifecycle methods. In addition, consider using WeakMaps or WeakSets for caching where applicable, as they allow for automatic garbage collection of objects no longer in use. Finally, continuously monitor memory usage throughout the development process. Incorporate memory profiling as part of your regular testing routine to catch leaks early in the development cycle. By implementing these practices, you can effectively address memory leaks in your application and enhance its overall performance.