# BASIC 8

> extension of Commodore's BASIC 7.0 for the C128 home/personal computer

**Wikidata**: [Q4834661](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4834661)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BASIC_8)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/basic-8

## Summary
BASIC 8 (also known as BASIC 8.0) is an extension of Commodore's BASIC 7.0 designed specifically for the C128 home and personal computer. It functions as a programming language based on the foundational Commodore BASIC architecture. It is also referred to as the Enhanced Graphics System For The C128.

## Key Facts
- **Also Known As**: BASIC 8.0; Enhanced Graphics System For The C128.
- **Type**: Programming language.
- **Parent System**: Based on Commodore BASIC.
- **Target Platform**: Commodore C128 home/personal computer.
- **Function**: Extension of Commodore's BASIC 7.0.
- **Historical Context**: Builds upon Commodore BASIC, which was originally released in 1977.
- **Wikidata Description**: Extension of Commodore's BASIC 7.0 for the C128 home/personal computer.

## FAQs
### Q: What is BASIC 8?
A: BASIC 8 is a programming language extension for the Commodore C128 computer. It extends the capabilities of the existing Commodore BASIC 7.0.

### Q: What are the alternative names for BASIC 8?
A: The system is also referred to as "BASIC 8.0" and "Enhanced Graphics System For The C128."

### Q: What is the relationship between BASIC 8 and Commodore BASIC?
A: BASIC 8 is an instance of a programming language that is based on Commodore BASIC. It serves as an extension to version 7.0 of that language.

## Why It Matters
BASIC 8 serves as a specialized software extension within the Commodore computing ecosystem, specifically targeting the C128 home and personal computer. As an extension of BASIC 7.0, it represents a layered approach to computer instruction, building upon the foundation laid by the original Commodore BASIC (established in 1977). Its existence highlights the evolutionary nature of early programming languages, where base systems were expanded to offer more specific or advanced functionalities—suggested by its alias, "Enhanced Graphics System For The C128."

By functioning as a distinct instance of a programming language, BASIC 8 provided a mechanism for communicating more complex or specific instructions to the C128 machine. It allowed for the utilization of the computer's capabilities beyond the standard out-of-the-box programming environment. This distinction classifies it as a significant, albeit niche, component in the history of Commodore software development, bridging the gap between the standard BASIC interpreter and the hardware capabilities of the C128.

## Notable For
- **Platform Specificity**: Designed exclusively as an extension for the Commodore C128 home/personal computer.
- **Extension Nature**: Distinct as an upgrade to the existing Commodore BASIC 7.0 rather than a standalone original language.
- **Descriptive Naming**: Uniquely aliased as the "Enhanced Graphics System For The C128," implying its specific functional utility.
- **Lineage**: Directly based on the Commodore BASIC architecture, which dates back to 1977.

## Body
### Identity and Classification
BASIC 8 is classified as a programming language used for communicating instructions to a machine. It is formally recognized as an extension of Commodore's BASIC 7.0. In database classifications, it is listed as a "Thing" and an "instance of" a programming language.

### Naming and Aliases
The entity is primarily known as **BASIC 8**. It also utilizes the following aliases:
*   BASIC 8.0
*   Enhanced Graphics System For The C128

### Technical Context and Relationships
BASIC 8 is intrinsically linked to the **Commodore C128**, serving as its dedicated software extension. It derives its core logic from **Commodore BASIC**, the underlying technology which has an inception date of 1977.

*   **Base Language**: Commodore BASIC
*   **Extended Version**: BASIC 7.0
*   **Target Hardware**: C128 home/personal computer

### Data Identifiers
*   **Freebase ID**: /m/04ltp1
*   **Wikipedia Title**: BASIC 8
*   **Wikidata Description**: Extension of Commodore's BASIC 7.0 for the C128 home/personal computer.