Use Cases and Architectures for HTTP and REST APIs with Apache Kafka

The blog post explores the use cases and architectures of REST APIs in conjunction with the Confluent REST Proxy and Apache Kafka, highlighting how this integration facilitates producing and consuming messages, viewing cluster metadata, and performing administrative tasks through standard HTTP(S) rather than Kafka's native protocols. It delves into the distinctions between request-response paradigms and event streaming, emphasizing the necessity for both in modern architectures. Key use cases include management and data planes, with REST APIs simplifying cluster management, CI/CD integration, and legacy system compatibility. The post also discusses the Confluent Schema Registry's role in data governance and schema enforcement, supporting various programming languages and ensuring seamless Kafka client integration. The Confluent REST Proxy is presented as a versatile tool for hybrid architectures and cloud migration, offering scalability and independence in data plane scenarios. Additionally, the blog encourages readers to engage with the Confluent community for further exploration of REST Proxy applications.