function debounce(func, delay) {
  let timeout;
  return function(...args) {
    const context = this;
    clearTimeout(timeout);
    timeout = setTimeout(() => func.apply(context, args), delay);
  };
}

// Assume an API function that takes a query string
async function searchApi(query) {
  if (!query) {
    console.log('Search query is empty, not calling API.');
    return [];
  }
  console.log(`Searching for: ${query}...`);
  try {
    const response = await fetch(`https://api.example.com/search?q=${encodeURIComponent(query)}`);
    if (!response.ok) {
      throw new Error(`HTTP error! Status: ${response.status}`);
    }
    const data = await response.json();
    console.log('Search results:', data);
    return data;
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Error during search:', error);
    throw error;
  }
}

// Debounced version of the search API call
const debouncedSearch = debounce(async (query) => {
  try {
    const results = await searchApi(query);
    // Update UI with results
  } catch (error) {
    // Handle search error
  }
}, 500); // 500ms delay

// Example usage (e.g., in an input event listener):
// document.getElementById('searchInput').addEventListener('input', (event) => {
//   debouncedSearch(event.target.value);
// });