NorthStar BASIC: A Historical Overview of a Revolutionary Programming Language
NorthStar BASIC, a unique dialect of the BASIC programming language, holds a special place in the history of early personal computing. Originally designed for use on the NorthStar Horizon and NorthStar Advantage computers in the late 1970s, NorthStar BASIC was distinct for its innovation and flexibility, particularly in how it handled string operations and memory management. This article explores the significance of NorthStar BASIC in the development of early computing and its lasting influence on later programming languages and systems.
Origins of NorthStar BASIC
The development of NorthStar BASIC was closely tied to the growth of North Star Computers Inc., a company that produced personal computers and peripherals. Founded by engineers Charles A. Grant and Mark Greenberg, the company sought to create a line of affordable and efficient personal computers that could serve as both development platforms and business solutions. One of the key products in this effort was the NorthStar Horizon, an 8-bit microcomputer that ran on the Intel 8080 microprocessor. NorthStar BASIC was developed to be the primary programming language for this machine, taking advantage of the 8080’s capabilities while providing a high-level interface for users to develop software.
The NorthStar Horizon and its successor, the NorthStar Advantage, were among the first personal computers to use the Intel 8080 processor, which was also the heart of other early systems like the Altair 8800. As such, NorthStar BASIC was not just a dialect designed for a specific machine but also a potential foundation for future systems, including custom-built machines that could run the same BASIC interpreter written using only Intel 8080 instructions. This approach made it easier for developers to implement NorthStar BASIC on other platforms, expanding its reach beyond the Horizon and Advantage computers.
Distinctive Features of NorthStar BASIC
NorthStar BASIC was notable for several features that set it apart from other BASIC dialects of the era. One of the most significant differences was how it handled string variables. While most BASIC dialects of the time used a more linear approach to string variables, NorthStar BASIC employed a more array-like structure to manage string data. In particular, string variables in NorthStar BASIC were accessed in a way that closely resembled array manipulation, which was unusual for BASIC at the time.
For example, a string variable in NorthStar BASIC could be referenced as A$(13,17), where 13 and 17 represented the start position and the length of the string within the array. This method of string addressing was similar to the one used in Fortran, which was an established scientific programming language. It also had parallels with the string handling techniques used in systems like the HP-3000 Basic and Atari BASIC. This approach allowed for more flexibility and efficiency in handling string data, making it easier for programmers to work with larger datasets.
Another distinctive feature of NorthStar BASIC was its treatment of memory and arrays. Strings in NorthStar BASIC were allocated a maximum length of 10 bytes unless they were explicitly DIMensioned to a different size. While this was relatively small by modern standards, it was a practical design choice given the limited memory resources available on early personal computers. For more complex tasks, users could declare arrays of strings in two or more dimensions, such as DIM B$(10,50), which created 11 strings, each with a maximum length of 50 bytes. This flexibility allowed developers to manage memory more effectively while still working with complex data structures.
In addition to these memory management techniques, NorthStar BASIC had its own unique set of commands and functions that distinguished it from other dialects of BASIC. For instance, POKE, a common command in many versions of BASIC for directly modifying memory, was replaced with the FILL command in NorthStar BASIC. Similarly, PEEK, which allowed programmers to examine the contents of specific memory locations, was replaced by the EXAM command. The INSTR function, typically used to search for a substring within a string, was replaced by the MATCH function in NorthStar BASIC. These changes reflected the specific design goals of the language and were intended to provide a more intuitive and efficient interface for users.
Influence on Other Programming Languages
NorthStar BASICβs innovations did not go unnoticed, and its influence extended well beyond the Horizon and Advantage computers. As the personal computing revolution gained momentum, other programming languages and dialects began to take inspiration from NorthStar BASIC’s features. One notable example is Bazic, a rewrite of NorthStar BASIC that took advantage of the faster Zilog Z80 microprocessor. Bazic was designed for use on the Z80-based systems that were becoming increasingly popular in the late 1970s and early 1980s. By optimizing the original NorthStar BASIC code to take advantage of the Z80’s architecture, Bazic offered faster execution times and greater efficiency, making it a compelling option for developers.
Other languages inspired by NorthStar BASIC include Megabasic and S.A.I.L.B.O.A.T., both of which were optimized for Z80 and X86 processors. Megabasic, in particular, was designed to run on the CP/M operating system, which was widely used on early personal computers. S.A.I.L.B.O.A.T., on the other hand, was a BASIC interpreter tailored for MS-DOS, reflecting the growing importance of the IBM PC and its clones in the personal computing market. These languages, which were derived from NorthStar BASIC, helped to solidify its place in the history of early computing and paved the way for more sophisticated programming environments.
NorthStar BASIC in the Context of Early Computing
To understand the impact of NorthStar BASIC, it is essential to consider the broader context of early computing. The late 1970s and early 1980s were a time of rapid technological advancements, as personal computers began to emerge as affordable alternatives to the large, expensive mainframes that had dominated the computing world. The introduction of the Intel 8080 microprocessor, the development of the CP/M operating system, and the growth of the home computer market all played key roles in shaping the evolution of programming languages.
At this time, BASIC was the dominant language for personal computing, due to its simplicity and accessibility. Unlike assembly language or more complex high-level languages, BASIC allowed users to quickly learn how to write programs without needing to understand the intricate details of computer hardware. However, different vendors often created their own versions of BASIC, leading to a fragmented ecosystem where each computer system had its own dialect of the language. This fragmentation posed challenges for developers who wanted to write portable programs that could run on different machines.
NorthStar BASIC helped address some of these challenges by providing a more flexible and efficient dialect that could be adapted to different systems. Its innovations in string handling and memory management made it a powerful tool for developers working with early personal computers, and its influence can be seen in later BASIC dialects and other programming languages.
Legacy and Conclusion
While NorthStar BASIC was eventually overshadowed by other developments in the computing world, its legacy endures. The innovations it introduced, particularly in the areas of string handling and memory management, have influenced many subsequent programming languages and systems. Moreover, the approach of creating a BASIC interpreter that could run on different hardware platforms proved to be a valuable strategy in an era when the landscape of personal computing was rapidly changing.
NorthStar BASIC also played a significant role in the history of North Star Computers Inc., a company that was at the forefront of the personal computing revolution. Although the company itself did not achieve the same level of fame as some of its contemporaries, such as Apple or IBM, its contributions to the development of programming languages and personal computing remain noteworthy.
In conclusion, NorthStar BASIC was more than just a programming language for the NorthStar Horizon and NorthStar Advantage. It was an innovative and flexible tool that helped to shape the early days of personal computing. Its impact can still be felt today, both in the evolution of programming languages and in the ongoing legacy of the machines that ran it. As we look back on the history of computing, NorthStar BASIC stands as a testament to the creativity and ingenuity of the engineers and programmers who helped to build the modern computing world.