Simons’ BASIC Revolution

The Evolution and Impact of Simons’ BASIC on the Commodore 64

The Commodore 64 (C64), an iconic home computer of the 1980s, holds a distinguished place in the history of personal computing due to its affordability, versatility, and the sheer volume of software available for it. Among the myriad tools and extensions that enriched its ecosystem, Simons’ BASIC stands out as a transformative enhancement to the C64’s native BASIC programming language. Developed in 1983 by David Simons, a prodigious 16-year-old British programmer, Simons’ BASIC was released in cartridge format by Commodore. Despite its contributions to the programming landscape, this product has been historically misnamed as “Simon’s BASIC” due to confusion between Simons’ surname and the more common first name, Simon.

Historical Context: The Commodore 64 and BASIC 2.0

The C64, introduced in 1982, shipped with a built-in version of BASIC, known as BASIC 2.0. While functional, BASIC 2.0 was a relatively rudimentary language lacking many advanced features, such as sound, graphics manipulation, and structured programming constructs. As the C64’s hardware was capable of much more than BASIC 2.0 could exploit, developers sought to extend the programming capabilities available to users.

Enter David Simons. His extension to BASIC 2.0 aimed to bridge the gap between the C64’s potential and its programming capabilities. Simons’ BASIC introduced over 100 new commands, allowing programmers to harness the full power of the C64’s hardware, including advanced graphics, sound, and input/output capabilities.

Features of Simons’ BASIC

Simons’ BASIC brought a range of features that made it an invaluable tool for both novice and experienced programmers. These features included:

1. Enhanced Graphics Commands:
   Simons’ BASIC allowed users to manipulate graphics more intuitively. Commands such as DRAW, CIRCLE, and PAINT enabled straightforward creation of shapes and patterns, a significant upgrade from the tedious memory-poking required in BASIC 2.0.

2. Sound Manipulation:
   The C64 was renowned for its SID (Sound Interface Device) chip, which provided advanced sound capabilities for the era. Simons’ BASIC added commands like PLAY and SOUND to simplify the process of generating music and sound effects.

3. Improved Memory Management:
   New commands for managing memory locations and arrays streamlined data handling, which was previously a cumbersome task requiring direct manipulation of memory addresses.

4. Input/Output Extensions:
   Simons’ BASIC improved interaction with peripheral devices, allowing for more complex and efficient data input/output operations.

5. Structured Programming Features:
   While still rooted in the procedural paradigm, Simons’ BASIC introduced enhancements that made programs more modular and readable, such as block structures and loops with clearer syntax.

6. Ease of Use:
   The new commands were designed with simplicity in mind, reducing the learning curve for beginners while providing powerful tools for advanced users.

Simons’ BASIC in Practice

The adoption of Simons’ BASIC varied among C64 users. Hobbyists and educators found the language an excellent tool for teaching and learning programming, as it provided immediate visual and auditory feedback, which made coding more engaging. Game developers and home programmers used its advanced features to create more sophisticated programs without resorting to assembly language.

The ease of creating graphical and auditory outputs meant that Simons’ BASIC also became a stepping stone for many aspiring game developers. By using the new commands, developers could prototype ideas quickly before diving into the intricacies of machine code for optimization.

Table: Comparison of BASIC 2.0 and Simons’ BASIC

Feature	BASIC 2.0	Simons’ BASIC
Graphics Commands	Limited (manual poking)	Advanced (DRAW, PAINT)
Sound Commands	Minimal (POKE required)	Advanced (PLAY, SOUND)
Memory Management	Basic	Enhanced
Input/Output Capabilities	Standard	Extended
Ease of Learning	Moderate	Higher
Use in Game Development	Limited	Significant Improvement

Legacy and Influence

Although Simons’ BASIC was not open source and did not cultivate a centralized package repository ecosystem, it left a lasting impression on the programming culture of the 1980s. The language extension inspired similar efforts in enhancing BASIC for other platforms and became a model for how software could expand the capabilities of hardware.

David Simons’ work demonstrated the potential of young talent in the software development world. At just 16 years old, his contribution became a commercial product distributed by one of the largest computing companies of the time. Simons’ BASIC serves as an enduring reminder of the ingenuity and creativity that defined the early era of personal computing.

Conclusion

Simons’ BASIC was more than just an extension to BASIC 2.0; it was a gateway to unlocking the full potential of the Commodore 64. By making advanced features accessible to everyday users, it empowered a generation of programmers and enthusiasts to explore the limits of their creativity. While the language may no longer be in active use, its legacy lives on in the countless programs and games it helped create and the programmers it inspired. As a historical milestone in the evolution of programming languages, Simons’ BASIC deserves recognition as a critical chapter in the story of personal computing.