Imagine an era where using computers required a background in advanced mathematics or engineering. For most people, the promise of technology was locked away inside machines they didn‘t understand.
That was the landscape in the 1960s when Dartmouth College professors John Kemeny and Thomas Kurtz envisioned something radical – a programming language so simple that anyone could learn it. Their creation, BASIC, would soon make computing accessible for generations of students and hobbyists while fueling the growth of personal computers.
The Need for an "Everyman‘s" Programming Language
By the 1960s, computers had evolved from purely military and research tools into more general academic resources. But existing programming languages continued catering mainly to scientific teams, not the general public. Complex syntax and rigid formatting meant you needed specialized degrees just to write the simplest script.
Kemeny in particular witnessed smart people across departments struggle to access Dartmouth‘s GE-225 system. This experience shaped his belief that computers would only fulfill their potential if made accessible. With Kurtz, he defined requirements for an ideal "everyman‘s" language:
- Interactive – Provide instant feedback during programming
- Generic – Support math, science, business uses
- Learnable – Understandable syntax for beginners
- Portable – Run on various computer models
Building this language took 2 years. Kemeny and Kurtz led a team of Dartmouth undergraduates to shape the Beginner‘s All-Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code – BASIC.
The Dawn of BASIC and Explosive Growth
BASIC delivered on its promises when released in 1964. Its formula of simple design with an interactive style vastly opened up computing to more users.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1964 | Dartmouth BASIC launches on GE-200 system |
| 1964 | First version has 14 commands, GOTO and GOSUB for flow control |
| 1967 | Interest explodes, over 50 schools acquire BASIC |
| 1975 | Bill Gates and Paul Allen license BASIC to MITS for Altair computer |
| 1977 | Commodore Business Machines releases PET computer with BASIC built-in |
| 1980 | IBM PC ships with BASIC in ROM – quickly becomes industry standard |
As the table shows, BASIC caught on rapidly through the 60s and 70s, becoming ubiquitous across the minicomputers and eventually microcomputers of the era. Its approachable design made BASIC the introductory language for generations of young students first learning to code.
Stan Veit, an early pioneer in the personal computer revolution, remarked:
"If it hadn‘t been for BASIC, would the PC revolution have ever happened? It may have, but it surely would have been delayed for a number of years."
The Rise of Business and Desktop BASICs
By the 1980s and 90s, BASIC had exploded into countless dialects and variations specific to each system. As the language grew in complexity, Microsoft sought to bring order with two major modernizations optimizing BASIC for business and desktop uses:
Visual Basic – Launched in 1991, VB reinvented the BASIC family for building Windows desktop applications. It allowed developers to use familiar BASIC syntax while creating GUI apps with drag-and-drop simplicity. VB became the most popular Windows development tool throughout the 90s.
VB.NET – Introduced in 2002, VB.NET brought the language into the new .NET framework for web-based applications. While retaining its BASIC roots, VB.NET was optimized for object-oriented programming and dynamic websites through ASP.NET.
These and other versions cemented BASIC‘s legacy through the personal computing era and into the age of the Internet. Today VB and its offspring remain some of the most widely-used languages globally.
BASIC Today: Still Relevant For New Programmers
Although many advanced alternatives now exist, BASIC remains a perfect first language for aspiring developers to learn.
Its advantages for beginners include:
- Simplicity – Easy keywords vs arcane syntax
- Immediate Feedback – See results from simple scripts quickly
- Platform Independence – Runs on virtually all computers and devices
And with today‘s compilers and editors, you still get:
- Full Functionality – Object orientation, data structures
- Secure and Fast – Build robust and native apps
- Modern Libraries – Interface with networks, hardware
Let‘s examine a simple BASIC script example:
PRINT "Hello World! What‘s your name?"
INPUT name$
PRINT "Nice to meet you " + name$ With just variable declarations, input/output, and basic math, complete beginners can get "Hello World" up and running immediately!
For those looking to get started, here are good modern BASIC learning options:
- SmallBasic – Fun environment from Microsoft for kids
- FreeBASIC – Open source BASIC compiler
- Bascom AVR – For electronics hobbyists and Arduino
Don‘t require complexity as a gatekeeper to technology. Code your first app today by channeling BASIC‘s original vision!
Conclusion – Democratizing Computing for All
BASIC began from a vision of computing accessible to anyone willing to learn – not just advanced degreed professionals. Throughout 6 decades of nonstop evolution, it‘s never strayed far from those democratic ideals. And Kemeny and Kurtz‘s belief in simplicity remains as relevant as ever in our modern high-tech world.
