# MBASIC

> Microsoft BASIC implementation for the CP/M operating system

**Wikidata**: [Q623610](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q623610)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MBASIC)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mbasic

## Summary
MBASIC is a specific implementation of the Microsoft BASIC programming language designed for the CP/M operating system. It functions as an imperative programming language used to communicate instructions to a machine. As a subclass of Microsoft BASIC, it represents an extension of the foundation product originally established by the Microsoft company in 1975.

## Key Facts
- **Definition:** MBASIC is a Microsoft BASIC implementation specifically for the CP/M operating system.
- **Classification:** It is an instance of a programming language.
- **Paradigm:** The software follows the imperative programming paradigm.
- **Parent Product:** It is a subclass of Microsoft BASIC, the foundation product of the Microsoft company.
- **Historical Context:** The parent entity, Microsoft BASIC, has an inception date of 1975.
- **Identifiers:** The entity has a BabelNet ID of `00334052n` and a Freebase ID of `/m/04gc98`.
- **Global Reach:** Wikipedia entries for MBASIC exist in 7 languages: German (de), English (en), Farsi (fa), Italian (it), Japanese (ja), Korean (ko), and Russian (ru).
- **Database References:** It is listed with a MobyGames attribute ID of 3008.

## FAQs
### Q: What is MBASIC?
A: MBASIC is a version of the Microsoft BASIC programming language tailored specifically to run on the CP/M operating system. It serves as a tool for writing imperative computer instructions.

### Q: How is MBASIC related to Microsoft?
A: MBASIC is a subclass of Microsoft BASIC, which is the foundation product of the Microsoft company. It extends the capabilities of the original 1975 product to the CP/M environment.

### Q: What type of programming paradigm does MBASIC use?
A: MBASIC utilizes the imperative programming paradigm, which focuses on describing how a program operates via statements that change a program state.

## Why It Matters
MBASIC serves as a critical historical bridge in the personal computing era, connecting Microsoft's foundational software technology with the CP/M operating system, which was a dominant platform prior to the widespread adoption of MS-DOS. As a specialized implementation of Microsoft BASIC—a product category established in 1975—MBASIC facilitated software development for a wide range of early microcomputers. Its existence underscores the portability and adaptability of the BASIC language across different hardware and operating system architectures. By providing a standardized language for CP/M users, it allowed for the creation of software and the communication of machine instructions during a formative period in the tech industry. Its documentation in seven different languages and inclusion in major knowledge bases like BabelNet and MobyGames further attest to its global relevance and recognition in computing history.

## Notable For
- Being the designated Microsoft BASIC implementation for the CP/M operating system.
- Operating within the imperative programming paradigm.
- Serving as a direct subclass of Microsoft BASIC, the company's original 1975 foundation product.
- Maintaining a multilingual presence across major global languages, including English, Russian, and Japanese.
- Possessing distinct cataloging identifiers across multiple knowledge bases (BabelNet, Freebase, MobyGames).

## Body
### Technical Classification
MBASIC is formally classified as an instance of a **programming language**. It operates using the **imperative programming** paradigm, a style in which the program describes instructions for the computer to perform. It is categorized as a **subclass of** Microsoft BASIC, linking it directly to the core product lineage established by Microsoft.

### System Context
The primary distinguishing characteristic of MBASIC is its role as the implementation of Microsoft BASIC for the **CP/M operating system**. CP/M (Control Program for Microcomputers) was a critical operating system in the early microcomputer market, and MBASIC provided the necessary environment for BASIC programming on this platform.

### Identifiers and Data
MBASIC is tracked and referenced by several major data sources:
- **Wikidata:** Described as "Microsoft BASIC implementation for the CP/M operating system."
- **BabelNet:** ID `00334052n`.
- **Freebase:** ID `/m/04gc98` (referenced prior to 2013).
- **MobyGames:** Attribute ID `3008`.

The entity has a sitelink count of 7, indicating its presence across various language editions of Wikipedia, specifically German, English, Farsi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Russian.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. BabelNet