Charles Hoskinson, the founder of Cardano, has shared insights into the early decision-making process that shaped the blockchain platform's development. In a recent discussion, Hoskinson revealed that he initially considered using the Clojure programming language for Cardano but ultimately chose Haskell, a statically typed functional programming language. This decision was driven by the potential of Cloud Haskell and the aspiration to utilize Liquid Haskell and Agda.

Hoskinson's choice was influenced by Cloud Haskell's capabilities, which provide a distributed computing framework aligning well with blockchain requirements. Additionally, Liquid Haskell and Agda offer advanced tools for formal verification and ensuring code correctness. The decision was made with significant consideration, reflecting Hoskinson's and Ktorz, the technical director of the Cardano Foundation, deep understanding of various programming languages, particularly Lisp, from which Clojure is derived.

Despite his initial interest in Clojure, Hoskinson reflected on what might have been if Cardano had been built using it. He envisioned a Cardano entirely developed with Clojure, employing ClojureScript for client-side development and ClojureSpec for specifications and testing. Hoskinson's reflections are not filled with regret but with thoughtful consideration of alternative paths. He mused that it could have been an "amazing journey" to develop Cardano using ClojureScript and ClojureSpec.

Hoskinson's account provides a unique glimpse into Cardano's early development, highlighting the careful consideration in choosing the programming language for the blockchain platform. While Haskell ultimately prevailed, Hoskinson's reflections on Clojure underscore the versatility and adaptability of programming languages in developing innovative technologies. This decision highlights the strategic planning behind Cardano's development, aiming for a robust, formally verified, and scalable blockchain solution.