# Atari BASIC

> BASIC interpreter

**Wikidata**: [Q753604](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q753604)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari_BASIC)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/atari-basic

## Summary
Atari BASIC is a BASIC interpreter and programming language developed by Shepardson Microsystems for the Atari 8-bit family of computers. Originally released in 1979 as commercial software, it serves as a dialect of the BASIC computer language, enabling users to write and execute code on Atari systems.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Instance of an **interpreter** and a **programming language**.
- **Developer:** Created by **Shepardson Microsystems**.
- **Inception:** Initially released in **1979**.
- **Operating System:** Designed for the **Atari 8-bit family**.
- **Versions:** Includes **Revision C**, released in **1983**.
- **License:** Distributed as **commercial software** under a **copyrighted** status.
- **Aliases:** Also referred to as **ATARI BASIC** and **Atari-BASIC**.
- **Documentation:** Described in various sources, including the Internet Archive entries "ataribooks-atari-basic-2" and "ataribooks-the-atari-basic-source-book".
- **Global Presence:** Documented across 11 sitelinks and available in Wikipedia languages including English, German, Spanish, French, and Russian.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of software is Atari BASIC?
A: Atari BASIC is an interpreter and a programming language. It functions as a dialect of computer languages classified under BASIC, allowing users to communicate instructions to the Atari 8-bit machine.

### Q: When was Atari BASIC developed and by whom?
A: The software was inceptioned in 1979 and was developed by Shepardson Microsystems. A specific version, Revision C, was released later in 1983.

### Q: On which systems does Atari BASIC run?
A: It is specifically tailored for the Atari 8-bit family of operating systems.

### Q: Is Atari BASIC free to use?
A: No, historically it was distributed as commercial software and maintains a copyrighted status.

## Why It Matters
Atari BASIC represents a significant application of programming language theory within the home computing era. As a dialect of BASIC, it provided an essential entry point for users to engage with the Atari 8-bit family, transforming the computer from a consumer device into a programmable machine. By implementing a formal language with defined syntax and execution models, it allowed for the creation of software, automation of tasks, and data processing on early personal computers. Its existence underscores the role of domain-specific languages in making computing accessible to a broader audience, bridging the gap between human intent and machine execution.

## Notable For
- Serving as the primary **BASIC interpreter** for the **Atari 8-bit family**.
- Being a **dialect of computer language** (BASIC), distinct from generic programming languages.
- Development by **Shepardson Microsystems**, a notable entity in early software development.
- Having specific, documented **version iterations** such as **Revision C** (1983).
- Extensive documentation in **Internet Archives** and across multiple global languages (9+ Wikipedia language editions).

## Body
### Definition and Classification
Atari BASIC is a programming language and interpreter categorized as a dialect of computer language (specifically BASIC). It is identified formally as an "instance of" both an interpreter and a programming language. As a programming language, it shares the fundamental characteristics of formal languages used to communicate instructions to a machine, possessing components such as syntax, an execution model, and a type system. It falls under the broader domain of computer science and serves the primary use of computer programming.

### History and Development
The inception of Atari BASIC dates back to **1979**. The software was developed by **Shepardson Microsystems**, a firm specializing in software creation for early personal computers. Throughout its lifecycle, the software evolved, leading to the release of **Revision C** in **1983**. It was distributed under a **commercial software** license and retains a **copyrighted** status.

### Platform and Ecosystem
Atari BASIC was built exclusively for the **Atari 8-bit family** of operating systems. It functions as the bridge between the user and the hardware, allowing for the control of computer behavior and the execution of tasks. As a programming language, it supports the paradigm of imperative programming typical of BASIC dialects, enabling step-by-step commands.

### Identity and Resources
The entity is recognized by several aliases, including **ATARI BASIC** and **Atari-BASIC**. It has a significant footprint in knowledge bases, appearing in Wikidata and Wikipedia across multiple languages including Catalan, German, English, Esperanto, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, and Russian.
*   **Archival References:** The software and its source code are preserved and described in the **Internet Archive**, specifically under identifiers like `ataribooks-the-atari-basic-source-book` and `ataribooks-atari-basic-2`.
*   **Media:** Visual examples of the language in use are available through the Wikimedia Commons file `AtariBasicExample.png`.
*   **Community:** It has a dedicated Fandom article ID (`computer:Atari_BASIC`) and a sitelink count of 11, indicating a moderate but dedicated presence in informational databases.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013