BASIC was a computer language that was all the rage in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Microsoft even came into existence because of BASIC, and – though it is in a rather different form these days – BASIC is still around.

It was intended as a computer language that is easy for people new to programming, to pick up and use.

I liked it because it was immediate: you could make a change and see the results then and there. BASIC of the time was interpreted and you didn’t have to go through the “compile, get a list of errors, reopen a text editor, make changes, recompile” cycle several times. It was a fast way to try things and get them going.

Basic1 is my effort to recreate the simplicity of that process.

Features

• Supports most of the ECMA-55 standard
• Still has line numbers
• Has the commonly used additions like MID$, CHR$ and so on
• Has extras like CLS, cursor addressing and COLOR(n)
• Has more extras for file handling
• Runs old (line numbered) programs on new computers (Win10)
• A really small download (about 50K ZIPped at present)

Download & Installing

This is really easy. There is no complicated install process. You just download it, unZIP it and use it.

DOWNLOAD

Buying a copy

It is free software. You don’t have to buy a copy.

However, if you’ve tried it and like it, and if you’d like to support the development of it and other products; you can buy a copy. If you do buy a copy, thank you and your support is really appreciated. The program is available through PayPal:

Basic1

Old fashioned BASIC for new fashioned computers.

$5.00 x 1

This is where the Express Checkout Button will show. View it on the front-end to see how it will look to your visitors

More Information

The download contains a text format Basic1 help file. Click the link for more details about Basic1.

There are some example programs at basic1 programs. These are from the classic “BASIC Computer Games” by David H. Ahl (see vintage-basic.net for more).

This is part of the CP/M topic.

Older Versions