Why is it preferable for developers to use ProductSearchModel.getProducts() instead of Category.getOnlineProducts()?

Using ProductSearchModel.getProducts() is generally preferred because it utilizes the search index, which significantly enhances performance by reducing the number of requests made to the application server. The search index allows for more efficient retrieval of product data, optimizing response times and reducing overhead on server resources.

When retrieving products directly via Category.getOnlineProducts(), the process may involve additional querying of the database, leading to more load on the server and slower access times. The search index, on the other hand, is designed to provide faster access by pre-organizing product data, allowing for quicker retrieval based on search criteria and improving overall application efficiency.

This ability to minimize direct server access while leveraging the search capabilities aligns with best practices in developing scalable and performant applications in Salesforce B2C Commerce. It leads to smoother user experiences and can also allow the application to handle larger volumes of traffic without degradation in performance.