# Microsoft Small Basic

> programming language dialect and development environment

**Wikidata**: [Q767018](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q767018)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Small_Basic)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/microsoft-small-basic

## Summary

Microsoft Small Basic is a software application influenced by Visual Basic, Logo, and QBasic.

## Summary
Microsoft Small Basic is a simplified programming language and development environment created by Microsoft to help beginners learn coding. It was first released on October 23, 2008, and is influenced by Visual Basic, Logo, and QBasic. The current version is v1.2, released in October 2015.

## Key Facts
- Microsoft Small Basic was created by Microsoft and first released on October 23, 2008
- The current version is v1.2, released in October 2015
- It is a simplified programming language influenced by Visual Basic, Logo, and QBasic
- Small Basic uses dynamic and weak typing disciplines
- It is designed for structured programming and runs on Windows operating systems
- The language is available in 10 Wikipedia languages including English, Spanish, French, and German
- Microsoft Small Basic is different from SmallBASIC, another programming language
- It has a dedicated website at http://www.smallbasic.com/

### Q: What is Microsoft Small Basic used for?
A: Microsoft Small Basic is used as an educational programming language to help beginners, especially young learners, learn coding concepts in a simplified environment. It provides an accessible entry point to programming before moving on to more complex languages.

### Q: Who created Microsoft Small Basic?
A: Microsoft created Small Basic as part of their educational programming initiatives. The language was developed by Microsoft's engineering teams to provide a simplified learning environment for new programmers.

### Q: What programming languages influenced Small Basic?
A: Small Basic was influenced by Visual Basic, Logo, and QBasic. These influences helped shape its simplified syntax and educational approach to teaching programming concepts.

## Why It Matters
Microsoft Small Basic matters because it serves as an important bridge for beginners entering the world of programming. By simplifying complex programming concepts and providing an intuitive development environment, it lowers the barrier to entry for learning to code. This is particularly valuable for young learners and those new to programming who might be intimidated by more complex languages. Small Basic's educational approach helps build foundational programming skills that can be transferred to more advanced languages later. As part of Microsoft's commitment to computer science education, Small Basic plays a role in developing the next generation of programmers and technologists by making coding more accessible and less daunting.

## Notable For
- Being specifically designed as a simplified programming language for beginners
- Incorporating influences from multiple educational programming languages (Visual Basic, Logo, QBasic)
- Providing a complete development environment with built-in documentation and examples
- Supporting structured programming paradigms while maintaining simplicity
- Being part of Microsoft's educational technology initiatives

## Body
### Development and Release
Microsoft Small Basic was officially released on October 23, 2008, as part of Microsoft's educational programming initiatives. The language was developed to provide a simplified entry point into programming for beginners, particularly targeting young learners and those new to coding.

### Technical Specifications
Small Basic v1.2, released in October 2015, represents the current stable version of the language. It operates with dynamic and weak typing disciplines, making it more forgiving for beginners while still teaching fundamental programming concepts. The language supports structured programming paradigms and is designed to run on Windows operating systems.

### Educational Design
The language draws significant influence from Visual Basic, Logo, and QBasic, incorporating elements from each to create an accessible learning environment. Small Basic includes built-in documentation, examples, and a simplified syntax that reduces the complexity typically associated with learning to program.

### Language Support and Documentation
Small Basic is documented and discussed in 10 different Wikipedia languages, including major European and Middle Eastern languages. The language maintains its own dedicated website at http://www.smallbasic.com/ and has a presence on various knowledge platforms including Quora.

### Distinction from Similar Languages
It's important to note that Microsoft Small Basic is different from SmallBASIC, another programming language with a similar name. Small Basic is specifically a Microsoft product designed for educational purposes, while SmallBASIC is an independent project with different goals and features.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. YSO-Wikidata mapping project
3. Quora