Servant

Servant was developed as a Haskell library to address the need for a type-safe approach to building web APIs. It emerged from the Haskell community, with contributions from various developers who sought to leverage Haskell's type system to ensure API consistency and reduce runtime errors. The library gained traction due to its ability to define APIs at the type level, providing a robust framework for both server and client code generation. The exact year of creation and specific individuals involved in its inception are not definitively documented.

Strengths of Servant include its strong type safety, which reduces runtime errors, and its ability to define APIs at the type level, ensuring consistency between server and client implementations. Weaknesses may involve a steep learning curve for those not familiar with Haskell or type-level programming. Competitors include other Haskell web frameworks like Yesod and Scotty, as well as frameworks in other languages such as Django for Python or Express for Node.js.

A Servant expert must have a strong proficiency in Haskell, particularly in understanding and utilizing its type system. They should be skilled in type-level programming and familiar with concepts like type classes and algebraic data types. Experience with web development principles, RESTful API design, and an understanding of HTTP protocols is essential. Familiarity with associated Haskell libraries for database interaction, JSON handling, and concurrency can also be beneficial.