# Commodore BASIC

> BASIC programming language

**Wikidata**: [Q337272](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q337272)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_BASIC)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/commodore-basic

## Summary
Commodore BASIC is a programming language based on Microsoft BASIC, created for use with Commodore computers. Originally released in 1977, it is also known as PET Basic or CBM-BASIC. It functions as a dialect of the broader BASIC language family designed for communicating instructions to a machine.

## Key Facts
*   **Inception:** The language was created in **1977**.
*   **Foundation:** It is based on **Microsoft BASIC**, which was a foundation product of the Microsoft company established in 1975.
*   **Instance Type:** It is classified as a **programming language**.
*   **Alternate Names:** It is also known by the aliases **PET Basic**, **CBM-BASIC**, and **Commodore-BASIC**.
*   **Derivative Works:** **BASIC 8** is a derivative work described as an extension of Commodore's BASIC 7.0 for the C128 home/personal computer.
*   **Database Identifiers:** It has a C64 Wiki ID of "BASIC" and a Freebase ID of `/m/01v651`.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Commodore BASIC based on?
A: Commodore BASIC is based on Microsoft BASIC, the foundation product of the Microsoft company. This lineage connects it to the standard established by Microsoft in 1975.

### Q: When was Commodore BASIC first released?
A: Commodore BASIC was inceptioned in 1977. This aligns with the early era of personal computing and the rise of the BASIC programming language.

### Q: What is BASIC 8 in relation to Commodore BASIC?
A: BASIC 8 is a derivative work and extension of Commodore's BASIC 7.0. It was specifically designed for the C128 home/personal computer.

## Why It Matters
Commodore BASIC serves as a significant historical bridge between the early software industry and the home computing revolution. As a dialect directly derived from Microsoft BASIC—the foundation product of Microsoft—it represents one of the earliest and most widespread distributions of Microsoft's technology into the consumer market. By embedding this language into Commodore machinery, it provided millions of users with their first exposure to programming, functioning as the primary interface for communicating instructions to the machine.

Its relevance extends into the evolution of software extensibility. While the base language provided the fundamental environment, the ecosystem encouraged development seen in derivatives like BASIC 8. This extension for the C128 computer demonstrated how the foundational code could be expanded to support more advanced capabilities. As a defining element of the Commodore experience, it remains a critical subject in the study of retro-computing and the history of interpreted languages.

## Notable For
*   **Microsoft Lineage:** It is a direct implementation of Microsoft BASIC, linking it to the origins of the world's largest software company.
*   **Longevity:** Established in 1977, it remained a staple in various versions across different Commodore computer models for years.
*   **Extensibility:** The platform supported derivative works, most notably BASIC 8, which extended the capabilities of BASIC 7.0 for the C128.
*   **Widespread Adoption:** With multiple aliases (PET Basic, CBM-BASIC), it was recognized across various languages and regions, documented in Wikipedia languages including English, German, Spanish, and Russian.

## Body
### Origins and Classification
Commodore BASIC is a specific implementation of the BASIC programming language class. Its development is rooted in **Microsoft BASIC**, utilizing the foundation established by Microsoft in 1975. The specific version for Commodore machines was inceptioned in **1977**.

### Naming and Identity
The entity is identified by several names across different contexts and documentation:
*   **PET Basic**
*   **CBM-BASIC**
*   **Commodore-BASIC**

In structured data repositories, it is categorized under "Commodore BASIC" with extensive documentation available in multiple languages including English, German, Greek, Spanish, Hungarian, Italian, Korean, Polish, and Russian.

### Evolution and Derivatives
The language evolved alongside Commodore hardware. A notable expansion of the system is **BASIC 8**, identified as an extension of Commodore's **BASIC 7.0**. This specific derivative was tailored for the **C128 home/personal computer**, enhancing the default capabilities provided by the standard Commodore BASIC environment.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013