Microsoft’s first-ever programming language was simply open-sourced

Do you know that, between 1976 and 1978, Microsoft developed its personal model of the BASIC programming language? It was initially referred to as Altair BASIC earlier than turning into Microsoft BASIC, and it was designed for the 6502 (a microprocessor used within the Apple II, Atari 2600, VIC-20, Commodore 64, and Nintendo Leisure System).

As of yesterday, Microsoft has launched the model 1.1 supply code of “Microsoft BASIC for 6502 Microprocessor” on GitHub, which implies you may freely view the meeting code and even obtain it if you wish to.

Why did Microsoft publish this code? As a result of it has historic significance and was one of many pillars of recent software program:

This supply code represents the muse upon which the trendy software program business was constructed. The methods, patterns, and enterprise fashions pioneered on this BASIC interpreter immediately influenced:

• The event of MS-DOS and subsequent Microsoft working techniques
• The standardization of programming language implementations
• The institution of software program licensing as a enterprise mannequin
• The democratization of laptop programming

Microsoft’s model of BASIC was one of many first programming languages that most of the people got here into contact with, making it an vital milestone in laptop historical past. Whereas Microsoft BASIC is not utilized in earnest, its spirit lives on with Visible Fundamental .NET.