# Altair BASIC

> interpreter for the BASIC programming language

**Wikidata**: [Q286196](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q286196)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altair_BASIC)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/altair-basic

## Summary
Altair BASIC is an interpreter for the BASIC programming language that was created in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. It was designed specifically for the Altair 8800 microcomputer and became Microsoft's first product.

## Key Facts
- Altair BASIC is an interpreter for the BASIC programming language
- Created in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen
- Platform: Altair 8800 microcomputer
- Foundation product of the Microsoft company
- Classified as a programming language and subclass of Microsoft BASIC
- Has a sitelink count of 24
- Available in multiple Wikipedia language editions including English, Spanish, French, and German
- Images exist showing paper tape representations of the interpreter

## FAQs
### Q: What was the significance of Altair BASIC in computing history?
A: Altair BASIC was Microsoft's first product and helped establish the company as a major player in the software industry. It made programming accessible to early microcomputer users and laid the foundation for Microsoft's future success.

### Q: Who developed Altair BASIC and when?
A: Altair BASIC was developed in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. It was their first commercial product and marked the beginning of what would become Microsoft Corporation.

### Q: Which computer system was Altair BASIC designed for?
A: Altair BASIC was specifically developed for the Altair 8800 microcomputer, one of the first successful personal computers that ignited the hobbyist computer revolution.

### Q: How did Altair BASIC contribute to Microsoft's business model?
A: Altair BASIC established Microsoft's business model of licensing software rather than selling hardware. This foundation product led to Microsoft BASIC being licensed to other computer manufacturers, shaping Microsoft's approach to the software industry.

## Why It Matters
Altair BASIC represents a pivotal moment in computing history as Microsoft's first product and helped launch the software company that would dominate the personal computer industry. It made programming accessible to early computer enthusiasts by providing an easy-to-use BASIC interpreter for the Altair 8800 microcomputer. Before Altair BASIC, programming early computers required knowledge of machine code, making it accessible only to technical experts. The success of Altair BASIC demonstrated the market for software and established Microsoft's business model of licensing software to hardware manufacturers, fundamentally changing how software would be distributed and sold for decades to come.

## Notable For
- Being Microsoft's first product and foundational to the company's success
- Pioneering the business model of licensing software rather than selling hardware
- Making programming accessible to early microcomputer users through the BASIC language
- Being one of the first commercial software products for personal computers
- Helping establish BASIC as a standard programming language for microcomputers

## Body
### History and Development
Altair BASIC was developed in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. It was their first commercial product and marked the beginning of Microsoft. The BASIC interpreter was created specifically for the Altair 8800 microcomputer, which was one of the first successful personal computers.

### Technical Details
- Type: Interpreter for the BASIC programming language
- Platform: Altair 8800
- Year: 1975
- Developers: Bill Gates and Paul Allen
- Classification: Programming language, subclass of Microsoft BASIC
- Visual representations exist as paper tape images

### Business Impact
Altair BASIC established Microsoft's business model of licensing software rather than selling hardware. It was foundational to Microsoft's success, leading to the development of Microsoft BASIC which was licensed to numerous computer manufacturers. This model would shape the software industry for decades and establish Microsoft as a major force in computing.

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  "name": "Altair BASIC",
  "description": "An interpreter for the BASIC programming language developed by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in 1975 for the Altair 8800 microcomputer.",
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## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013