# Microsoft BASIC

> foundation product of the Microsoft company

**Wikidata**: [Q1201810](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1201810)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_BASIC)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/microsoft-basic

## Summary

Microsoft BASIC is a software application that serves as a programming language.

## Summary
Microsoft BASIC is a programming language developed by Microsoft, serving as the foundation product of the company. It was first released in 1975 and became widely used across various computer platforms, including early personal computers like the Altair 8800.

## Key Facts
- Microsoft BASIC was created in 1975.
- It was developed by Microsoft, an American multinational technology corporation.
- Microsoft BASIC is classified as a programming language.
- It is the foundation product of Microsoft.
- Variants include Altair BASIC (1975), Commodore BASIC (1977), Applesoft BASIC (1977), Atari Microsoft BASIC (1982), MS BASIC for Macintosh, and Amiga Basic.
- Microsoft BASIC is also known by aliases such as MS-BASIC, MS Basic, and others in different languages.
- It is part of MBASIC, a Microsoft BASIC implementation for the CP/M operating system.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Microsoft BASIC?
A: Microsoft BASIC is a programming language developed by Microsoft in 1975. It served as the foundation product of the company and was widely used in early personal computers.

### Q: When was Microsoft BASIC first released?
A: Microsoft BASIC was first released in 1975.

### Q: What are some variants of Microsoft BASIC?
A: Variants of Microsoft BASIC include Altair BASIC (1975), Commodore BASIC (1977), Applesoft BASIC (1977), Atari Microsoft BASIC (1982), MS BASIC for Macintosh, and Amiga Basic.

### Q: Who developed Microsoft BASIC?
A: Microsoft BASIC was developed by Microsoft, an American multinational technology corporation.

### Q: What is the significance of Microsoft BASIC?
A: Microsoft BASIC is significant as it was the foundation product of Microsoft and played a crucial role in the early development of personal computing.

## Why It Matters
Microsoft BASIC holds a pivotal place in the history of computing as the first major product from Microsoft, a company that would go on to dominate the software industry. Released in 1975, it was one of the first high-level programming languages widely available for early personal computers, making programming accessible to a broader audience. By providing a user-friendly way to write software, Microsoft BASIC helped fuel the personal computer revolution of the late 1970s and 1980s. Its adoption across platforms like the Altair 8800, Commodore, Apple, and Atari computers cemented its role as a standard tool for hobbyists and developers. Without Microsoft BASIC, the rapid growth of home computing—and Microsoft’s rise as a tech giant—might have taken a very different path.

## Notable For
- Being the first major product developed by Microsoft.
- Serving as a foundational programming language for early personal computers.
- Its widespread adoption across multiple computer platforms.
- Playing a key role in making programming accessible to hobbyists and developers.
- Contributing to the growth of the personal computer industry in the late 1970s and 1980s.

## Body
### Development and Release
Microsoft BASIC was developed by Microsoft and first released in 1975. It was designed as a high-level programming language to make software development more accessible.

### Variants and Implementations
Microsoft BASIC spawned several variants tailored for different computer systems:
- **Altair BASIC (1975)**: The first version, created for the Altair 8800 microcomputer.
- **Commodore BASIC (1977)**: A version for Commodore computers.
- **Applesoft BASIC (1977)**: A floating-point interpreter for Apple computers.
- **Atari Microsoft BASIC (1982)**: A variant for Atari computers.
- **MS BASIC for Macintosh**: A dialect specifically for Macintosh computers.
- **Amiga Basic**: An implementation for Amiga computers.

### Role in Microsoft's History
Microsoft BASIC was the foundation product of Microsoft, marking the company's entry into the software industry. Its success helped establish Microsoft as a key player in the emerging personal computer market.

### Technical Details
Microsoft BASIC is classified as a programming language, designed to communicate instructions to machines. It is part of MBASIC, a Microsoft BASIC implementation for the CP/M operating system.

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## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. BabelNet