The History and Impact of Altair BASIC: A Cornerstone of Early Computing
Altair BASIC, a discontinued interpreter for the BASIC programming language, holds a significant place in the history of software development. Launched in 1975, it was designed specifically for the MITS Altair 8800, one of the first commercially successful microcomputers. Altair BASIC was the first product from Microsoft, originally named “Micro-Soft” at the time, and it laid the foundation for what would later become one of the most influential software companies in the world. This article will explore the origins of Altair BASIC, its features, its role in the early computer industry, and its legacy.
The Birth of Altair BASIC
In the mid-1970s, the landscape of personal computing was still in its infancy. While the Altair 8800, introduced by MITS (Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems), became one of the first widely available microcomputers, it lacked the user-friendly software needed for the emerging personal computer market. The machine, though revolutionary for its time, was primarily a hardware platform, and its appeal was limited without a reliable and accessible programming language.
Enter BASIC, a high-level programming language that had gained popularity in educational settings for its simplicity and ease of use. However, there was a challenge: the Altair 8800, like many early microcomputers, was based on an architecture that required custom software solutions. Bill Gates, Paul Allen, and their small team at Microsoft recognized the potential of the Altair 8800 and its need for a programming language. They took it upon themselves to create an interpreter for BASIC that would run on the Altair.
In a stroke of entrepreneurial brilliance, the fledgling Microsoft company secured a deal with MITS to supply Altair BASIC. This deal would not only help to establish Microsoft’s reputation in the industry but also set the stage for the company’s eventual dominance in the software market.
The Development and Features of Altair BASIC
The development of Altair BASIC began in 1975, and the programming language was completed in the same year. The interpreter was written in assembly language to run efficiently on the Altair 8800’s Intel 8080 processor, which was a significant challenge given the limited resources of early computers. The Altair 8800 had a meager 256 bytes of memory, and BASIC had to be highly optimized to function within these constraints.
Altair BASIC, as it was called, was designed to be compatible with the Altair 8800 and other S-100 bus computers that followed. It provided a means for users to interact with their computer more easily than through the machine’s native hexadecimal or assembly language programming. The interpreter allowed users to enter commands in the BASIC language, which were then translated into machine code that the computer could execute.
Key features of Altair BASIC included:
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Simple Command Structure: BASIC’s syntax was relatively easy to learn compared to other programming languages of the time. This made it accessible to a broad audience, including hobbyists, educators, and early computer enthusiasts.
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Line-by-Line Execution: The interpreter processed one line of code at a time, which allowed users to write and test code incrementally. This made it more interactive and user-friendly compared to more complex programming environments.
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Memory Efficiency: The interpreter was designed to run on limited memory, which was a major challenge given the constraints of early computers like the Altair 8800. The BASIC language itself was efficient in terms of both memory and processing power, which was essential for its use on early microcomputers.
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Expansion and Customization: While the original version of Altair BASIC was designed specifically for the Altair 8800, the software was later adapted for other S-100 bus computers. This allowed Altair BASIC to become a key part of the early personal computer ecosystem.
The Role of Altair BASIC in Microsoft’s Growth
At the time of its creation, Microsoft was a small, relatively unknown company. Bill Gates and Paul Allen, who were both in their early 20s, saw an opportunity to change the personal computing landscape. With their contract to provide Altair BASIC to MITS, Microsoft’s journey from a small startup to one of the most successful technology companies in the world began.
Altair BASIC was not just another software product; it marked a pivotal moment in software history. In the years that followed, Microsoft expanded its BASIC offerings, including versions of the language for other early microcomputers. The company’s success in providing a usable and efficient BASIC interpreter helped establish Microsoft as a key player in the rapidly growing personal computer industry.
The release of Altair BASIC is considered a milestone in Microsoft’s early history, as it marked the company’s first commercial product. The deal with MITS helped fund the company’s operations and gave it the credibility needed to secure future contracts. Over time, Microsoft’s product range grew to include operating systems like MS-DOS and Windows, but Altair BASIC remains an important part of the company’s origin story.
The Influence of Altair BASIC on Early Computing
Altair BASIC was instrumental in the democratization of computing. Prior to its release, most computers were large, expensive machines used primarily by research institutions, universities, and large corporations. Personal computers like the Altair 8800 were small enough and affordable enough to be used by individuals and small businesses, but they still required specialized knowledge to operate.
Altair BASIC played a crucial role in making computing accessible to a broader audience. With the advent of BASIC, hobbyists and enthusiasts were able to experiment with programming on their own personal computers. The ease of learning BASIC allowed more people to engage with computing, and it contributed to the rise of the home computer market. In many ways, Altair BASIC set the stage for the widespread adoption of personal computing.
Moreover, the release of Altair BASIC highlighted the importance of software in the computer industry. Up until that point, hardware manufacturers often controlled the computing experience, but Altair BASIC showed that software could provide the value needed to unlock the potential of hardware. As a result, software companies like Microsoft became key drivers in the success of personal computers.
The Discontinuation and Legacy of Altair BASIC
Despite its initial success, Altair BASIC was eventually discontinued. As technology advanced, new, more powerful computers and programming languages emerged, and the Altair 8800 itself became obsolete. However, the legacy of Altair BASIC extends far beyond the software’s discontinuation.
Altair BASIC helped shape the future of personal computing and programming languages. Its simple yet effective design inspired future versions of BASIC and influenced the development of other early programming environments. The success of Microsoft’s first product demonstrated the viability of software companies and paved the way for the software-centric model of personal computing that is commonplace today.
Furthermore, Altair BASIC holds a special place in the history of Microsoft. The software was the company’s first product, and its success laid the foundation for the company’s later achievements. Without Altair BASIC, it’s unclear whether Microsoft would have had the same early momentum to secure contracts and develop its subsequent products, including the iconic MS-DOS and Windows operating systems.
Today, Altair BASIC may be seen as a relic of the past, but its influence on the personal computer industry is undeniable. It helped establish the idea that software could be as important as hardware, and it gave birth to a software company that would become one of the largest and most influential in history.
Conclusion
Altair BASIC remains a key milestone in the history of personal computing. It was the first product from Microsoft and played a central role in the early success of the company. The software’s simple, efficient design made it a valuable tool for early computer enthusiasts, and it helped to foster the growth of the personal computer market. Although Altair BASIC was eventually discontinued as newer and more powerful computers arrived, its legacy lives on in the modern computing landscape. The story of Altair BASIC is a testament to the power of innovation and vision in shaping the future of technology.
For those interested in delving further into the history of Altair BASIC, more information can be found on its Wikipedia page: Altair BASIC on Wikipedia.