When would you use ScrollView over FlatList or vice-versa?

In React Native, the choice between using ScrollView and FlatList depends on the nature and size of the data you need to display. Here are the key considerations for when to use each component:

When to Use ScrollView

1. Small Data Sets: ScrollView is ideal for displaying a small number of items. Since it renders all its child components at once, it is suitable for lists where the total number of items is relatively low and can fit comfortably in memory without performance issues[1][2][4].

2. Static Content: If the content is static and not expected to change dynamically, ScrollView can be a simpler and more straightforward choice. It is also useful when the content is heterogeneous, meaning the items are not similar in structure or size[6][8].

3. Maintaining Component State: ScrollView maintains the state of its child components because it renders all of them at once. This can be beneficial if you need to preserve the state of components that go off-screen[2][3].

When to Use FlatList

1. Large Data Sets: FlatList is designed to handle large lists efficiently. It only renders items that are currently visible on the screen, which helps in managing memory usage and improving performance. This makes it suitable for lists with hundreds or thousands of items[1][2][4][7].

2. Dynamic Content: If the list data is dynamic and can change over time, FlatList is a better choice. It provides features like pull-to-refresh and infinite scrolling, which are essential for dynamic data[12][15].

3. Performance Optimization: FlatList uses lazy loading to render items as they come into view and removes items that scroll off-screen. This reduces the initial load time and memory consumption, making it ideal for long lists[1][4][9].

4. Additional Features: FlatList supports various features out of the box, such as item separators, multiple columns, and sticky...