Clojure in Product. Would you do it again? Episode 10. Open-source is like all eyes looking at it, with Cam Saul, Metabase
Feb 17, 2025
Cam Saul, Chief Architect at Metabase, discusses the rapid development benefits of transitioning from Python to Clojure. He highlights how Clojure's stability allows for building upon existing work more efficiently. The conversation delves into the importance of a collaborative open-source culture that attracts contributors, as well as the challenges of hiring developers familiar with Clojure's syntax. Cam shares insights on navigating over-engineering in startups and the balance between code quality and accessibility in a JavaScript-heavy environment.
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Rapid Porting Wins Team Over
- Cam Saul quickly ported Metabase from Python to Clojure within about a week, demonstrating the language's speed for development.
- This rapid transition convinced the team to fully adopt Clojure and never look back.
Hiring Concerns Eased by Interest
- Initial concerns about hiring Clojure developers often focus on its syntax and smaller talent pool.
- However, smart people can pick it up quickly, and many are eager to work with Clojure once introduced.
Open-Source Contributions Lead Hiring
- Metabase successfully hired multiple engineers through their open-source project contributors.
- Impressive pull requests from external contributors sometimes led to immediate hiring offers.
