Description #
BASIC (Beginner’s All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) is a family of easy-to-learn programming languages originally designed for non-technical users, especially students. It is used for teaching, scripting, and lightweight application development.
History #
BASIC was created in 1964 by John G. Kemeny and Thomas E. Kurtz at Dartmouth College. Their goal was to make computer programming accessible to undergraduates in all fields. Over time, many dialects of BASIC emerged, from early home computer versions to modern variants like FreeBASIC and QB64.
Hello World Code #
PRINT "Hello, World!"How to Run #
Option 1: Online
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/compile_basic_online.php
Option 2: Local
Install QB64
Command to run:
Open QB64, paste the code, then click Run.
Key Concepts #
- Simple, English-like syntax
- Dynamically typed
- Line-numbered in early versions
- Interpreted or compiled (depending on dialect)
- Popular in educational environments
- Focus on beginner accessibility
- Many dialects: GW-BASIC, QBasic, FreeBASIC, QB64
- Some modern implementations support graphics and networking
- Lightweight tooling
- Strong influence on scripting in early microcomputers
Try It Online #
https://replit.com/languages/qbasic
Fun Facts #
- The original Dartmouth BASIC ran on a time-sharing mainframe.
- Microsoft’s first product was a BASIC interpreter for the Altair 8800.
- Many early game developers learned programming using BASIC on home computers.
Resources #
Official QB64 Site
FreeBASIC Docs
QB64 GitHub
Learn BASIC Programming
