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Start for freeThe Rise of BASIC in Home Computing
The programming language BASIC, originally developed in 1964 at Dartmouth College by John Kemeny and Thomas Kurtz, became a cornerstone of the home computing revolution of the 1980s. Though not initially designed for personal computers, the adaptation of BASIC by Microsoft founders Bill Gates and Paul Allen marked a turning point. Their efforts helped popularize BASIC during the 1970s, setting the stage for its explosion in popularity throughout the next decade.
All early personal computers, from Apple II to Commodore 64 and beyond, featured their own versions of BASIC. This commonality allowed users to transfer programming knowledge seamlessly between systems, despite other hardware and software differences. Schools and educational books widely taught BASIC, making it a fundamental skill for early computer enthusiasts.
Cultural Impact and Programming Challenges
BASIC wasn't just a programming language; it was embedded in popular culture. Shows like Futurama included nods to BASIC, highlighting its widespread recognition beyond just tech circles. Despite its simplicity, programming in BASIC had its quirks. For instance, programmers used line numbers to organize code—a method born out of necessity due to the lack of advanced text editors on early machines.
The book 101 BASIC Computer Games, released in 1978, became historically significant as it was one of the first computer books to sell over a million copies. It showcased how accessible and influential BASIC had become as it provided users with numerous games that could be typed directly onto their home systems.
Limitations and Innovations
Despite its ubiquity, BASIC had limitations especially when dealing with graphics or sound commands which were often proprietary to specific machines like Apple II or Commodore PET. This led to a variety of 'dialects' or versions of BASIC that varied from one machine to another—each with unique commands and functions.
The Commodore Experience
Commodore computers are an excellent example of how different implementations of BASIC affected user interaction with hardware. While these systems included some built-in commands for loading programs (e.g., LOAD "*",8), they lacked built-in commands for graphics or sound operations which required complex sequences of POKE and PEEK commands.
Enhancements Through Cartridges
To address these shortcomings, additional cartridges like EPYX Fastload were developed which not only increased disk operation speeds but also added new commands making programming easier and more robust on platforms like Commodore 64.
Legacy and Modern Relevance
BASIC laid down foundational computing concepts that are still relevant today. Its approachability allowed many first-time programmers to dip their toes in software development, echoing modern languages like Python known for their simplicity and interpretive nature.
As we reflect on the impact of BASIC during the home computing era, it's clear that its influence extends far beyond just technology—it shaped a generation's understanding of what computers could do and inspired countless individuals to explore the possibilities within digital realms.
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