What is the reason to choose REST API over Kafka in a project?

Choosing REST API instead of Kafka depends on the project requirements and the nature of interaction between components.

REST API is suitable when:

• Synchronous client-server interaction needs to be implemented.
• Simplicity and broad support (HTTP, JSON) are required.
• Compatibility with browsers and external services is important.
• Request processing is demand-driven, and there is no need for complex data stream processing.

Kafka, on the other hand, is a message exchange system for asynchronous data transfer, suitable for:

• High-load systems with a large flow of events.
• Real-time event processing.
• Building distributed systems with guaranteed message delivery.

If the project does not require asynchronous processing and complex event architecture, and simplicity and direct interaction are important, REST API would be preferable.