BASIC
From Maze
(Difference between revisions)
(→Dartmouth BASIC and Time-Sharing Minicomputers) | (→Altair BASIC and Tiny BASIC, Micro-Soft and Copyleft) | ||
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== Altair BASIC and Tiny BASIC, Micro-Soft and Copyleft == | == Altair BASIC and Tiny BASIC, Micro-Soft and Copyleft == | ||
| − | In the book ''Invisible Engines,'' three authors develop of a theory of how software platforms can be two-sided (or multi-sided) in the sense of two-sided markets, where, for instance, both buyers and sellers must come together for profits to be made. Microsoft's Windows operating system is one example of a two-sided platform. On one side, computers need an operating system to function, so hardware manufactuers such as Dell purchase licenses to Windows and pass along the costs to consumers. On the other side, computers are only valuable if there are applications written for them. Microsoft writes some of the applications for Windows, but third-party developers write many. The abundance of software encourages users to stay with Windows. | + | While time-sharing was a significant and often overlooked revolution in computing, allowing programmers interactive access to the machine and eliminating the highly regulated ritual of submission of punched card stacks, it was only the first revolution in which BASIC played a critical role. The next revolution would change industry and reshape everyday interactions with computing. It was the beginning of the home computer or minicomputer era, in ''Popular Electronics'' in January 1975. The cover displayed the Altair 8800. This $395 machine ($495 assembled) was described consistently there and throughout the magazine as a "minicomputer," rather than a "microcomputer." Nevertheless, the article about this device describes the many virtues of a useful computer for individuals and the headline of the editorial on page 4 clearly proclaims "THE HOME COMPUTER IS HERE!" |
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| + | The article describing the Altair 8800 claims that the computer can be used as a "Sophisticated intrusion alarm system," an "Automatic IC tester," an "Autopilot for planes, boats, etc.," a "Time-share computer system," a "Brain for a robot," and a "Printed matter-to-Braille converter for the blind," among other things, noting that "many of these applications can be performed simultaneously." (p. 38) As it happened, even the applications that were within the capabilities of the device were rather difficult to realize since the system, as delivered or assembled, could only be programmed in machine language using toggle switches on the front panel. What the Altair 8800 could really use - besides a terminal, which was available or could be purchased by many users - was a programming language that facilitated experimentation. The ''Popular Mechanics'' article actually mentions four programming languages by way of explaining the hardware/software distinction (p. 34); one of these is BASIC, which was the language of most interest to early Altair 8800 users. | ||
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| + | The two major successful efforts to develop a BASIC interpreter for the Altair are important and intriguing. While they don't exactly reveal that it was the best of BASIC and the worst of BASIC, they do show two extremes in software development: commercial and highly tied to licensing and cost structures on the one hand, community-based, non-profit, and "copyleft" on the other. The BASICs that led in these directions were Microsoft's Altair BASIC, the official BASIC for the platform, licensed to the manufacturer; and Tiny BASIC, which originated at the People's Computer Company (PCC). While the Commodore 64's BASIC is directly descended from Microsoft's Altair BASIC, and indeed is a Microsoft product, the 10 PRINT program lived in a context that was strongly influenced by, if not developed at, the People's Computer Company. | ||
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| + | [Early history of MS Altair BASIC] | ||
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| + | In the book ''Invisible Engines,'' three authors develop of a theory of how software platforms can be two-sided (or multi-sided) in the sense of two-sided markets, where, for instance, both buyers and sellers must come together for profits to be made. Microsoft's Windows operating system is one example of a two-sided platform. On one side, computers need an operating system to function, so hardware manufacturers such as Dell purchase licenses to Windows and pass along the costs to consumers. On the other side, computers are only valuable if there are applications written for them. Microsoft writes some of the applications for Windows, but third-party developers write many. The abundance of software encourages users to stay with Windows. | ||
Of course, Windows was not the first two-sided platform -- it was not even Microsoft's first. By retaining the rights to what IBM called PC-DOS, Microsoft had previously been able to license MS-DOS to other companies, much as they would later sell OEM copies of Windows to them. And before that, there are continuities with the company's first product line, Microsoft BASIC. While BASIC was a language, not an operating system, the presence of BASIC allowed for programs to be written on a computer and sometimes sold. And, computers in the late 1970s and early 1980s needed BASIC on them seem full-featured, so different computer manufacturers were eager to license the language from Microsoft. At Gates's and Allen's company, the success of BASIC and the essential business plan used there helped to develop the later success of MS-DOS and Windows. | Of course, Windows was not the first two-sided platform -- it was not even Microsoft's first. By retaining the rights to what IBM called PC-DOS, Microsoft had previously been able to license MS-DOS to other companies, much as they would later sell OEM copies of Windows to them. And before that, there are continuities with the company's first product line, Microsoft BASIC. While BASIC was a language, not an operating system, the presence of BASIC allowed for programs to be written on a computer and sometimes sold. And, computers in the late 1970s and early 1980s needed BASIC on them seem full-featured, so different computer manufacturers were eager to license the language from Microsoft. At Gates's and Allen's company, the success of BASIC and the essential business plan used there helped to develop the later success of MS-DOS and Windows. | ||
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| + | [Specification of and development of Tiny BASIC] | ||
== Circulating Programs in Print == | == Circulating Programs in Print == | ||
