BASIC

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BASIC (Beginner’s All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code)

Overview: BASIC is one of the earliest high-level programming languages, designed in the mid-1960s by John G. Kemeny and Thomas E. Kurtz at Dartmouth College. Its primary goal was to provide an easy-to-learn language for students and non-scientists, making computer programming more accessible to a broader audience.

Philosophy and Purpose: BASIC was intended to be simple and approachable. At the time, programming languages like FORTRAN or Assembly were considered too complex for non-technical users. BASIC aimed to eliminate this barrier by offering a clear and straightforward syntax, allowing users to write and execute programs easily.

Language Structure: Early BASIC versions were procedural and line-numbered, where every instruction line had a number (e.g., 10 PRINT “HELLO WORLD”). These numbers helped manage control flow using commands like GOTO, GOSUB, and RETURN. It emphasized simplicity over structure, which was both its strength and a limitation as programs grew in size and complexity.

Key Features:

  • Simple syntax
  • Interactive execution environment (ideal for learning)
  • Easily readable code
  • Line numbers and direct statement referencing
  • Basic input/output commands (PRINT, INPUT)
  • Control structures (IF...THEN, FOR...NEXT, WHILE, GOTO)
  • Minimal setup or compilation requirements

Evolution and Variants: Over time, BASIC evolved significantly. In the 1980s and 1990s, personal computers often came with some version of BASIC built-in (e.g., GW-BASIC, QBASIC, Apple BASIC, Commodore BASIC). Later versions such as Visual Basic by Microsoft introduced structured programming, object-oriented features, and GUI development capabilities. Visual Basic eventually became a powerful tool for business and desktop application development.

Example Program: Add Two Numbers

10 INPUT "Enter first number: ", A
20 INPUT "Enter second number: ", B
30 LET C = A + B
40 PRINT "The sum is: "; C
50 END

Strengths:

  • Ideal for beginners and educational purposes
  • Minimal learning curve
  • Great for small-scale programs and scripting
  • Rapid prototyping due to its interactive nature

Limitations:

  • Poor scalability for large applications (especially early versions)
  • Lack of modularity in early versions
  • Over-reliance on GOTO and linear control flow
  • Not suitable for modern software engineering practices in its basic form

Legacy and Influence: BASIC played a foundational role in introducing millions of people to programming. Its influence persists in various modern languages that prioritize simplicity and user-friendliness. Although not commonly used in professional software development today, its concepts and teaching impact are still recognized in educational tools and beginner environments.