Open-source adaptation of Microsoft BASIC for the 6502 microprocessor has been announced
In a move that will delight retrocomputer enthusiasts, Microsoft has made version 1.1 of its Microsoft BASIC interpreter available under an MIT license, fifty years after its initial development.
Originally designed for the 6502 microprocessor, this version of BASIC was developed by Microsoft in 1978, in collaboration with Commodore engineer John Feagans. The open-source code supports a range of early computing models, including the Commodore PET, KIM-1, and early Apple computers.
This isn't the first time Microsoft has made an old product available. The open-source version of Microsoft BASIC has been unofficially circulating in the community for a long time, but now, with the GitHub repository, licensing worries have been cleared up. The files in the repository are dated 48 years ago, reflecting the original development timeline.
The open-source version of Microsoft BASIC offers opportunities for experimentation and real-hardware projects. It's important to note that this version is different from the extended versions found in later home computers like the Commodore 64.
Microsoft was the foremost supplier of BASIC interpreters in the 1970s, and this open-source release is a testament to the company's commitment to preserving computing history. The open-source version of Microsoft BASIC can be found in Commodore and Apple products, among others, making it a valuable resource for those interested in the early days of personal computing.
Michael Holley, a notable figure in computing history, is in the public domain, serving as an appropriate header image for this fascinating journey back in time. The 6502 microprocessor, still in use after half a century, is another testament to the enduring legacy of these early computing systems.
As we look back at the origins of personal computing, the open-source release of Microsoft BASIC provides a unique opportunity to explore, learn, and even contribute to the preservation of this important chapter in computing history.
