Tymshare SuperBasic: A Historical Overview of an Early Computing Language
The mid-20th century marked a period of intense technological innovation that led to the development of various computing systems and languages. One such innovation was the Tymshare SuperBasic, a version of the BASIC programming language tailored for use within the Tymshare time-sharing service. While the Tymshare SuperBasic itself may not be as widely recognized today as other prominent programming languages, its role in the evolution of time-sharing systems and the broader computing industry cannot be overstated.
This article provides an in-depth exploration of the Tymshare SuperBasic, the context in which it emerged, its significance, and the lasting impact it had on the development of computing technologies, particularly in the realms of time-sharing systems and database management.
The Birth of Tymshare and Its Time-Sharing Services
Tymshare, Inc. was founded in 1964 in Cupertino, California, a location that would later become synonymous with Silicon Valley. Initially, Tymshare’s primary focus was to provide time-sharing services, which allowed users to access computer systems remotely. This was a revolutionary concept at the time since it made powerful computer systems available to businesses, universities, and individuals who could not afford their own dedicated hardware.
Time-sharing services were particularly valuable because they enabled users to run computations, store data, and interact with large computer systems without the need for direct access to the physical machines. Tymshare became a prominent player in the time-sharing industry, competing with other companies like Four-Phase Systems, CompuServe, and Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC). The company’s ability to deliver high-performance computing systems via remote access proved to be a significant factor in its success.
Tymshare’s time-sharing services included a variety of different systems, including the SDS 940, the XDS Sigma 7, and the DEC PDP-10 models. These platforms offered users access to computing power in a way that was previously unheard of. The ability to access these systems remotely was facilitated by Tymshare’s proprietary technology, Tymnet, a network that helped manage the connections between users and the mainframe computers.
In addition to providing time-sharing services, Tymshare also engaged in the development of cutting-edge technologies in other domains, such as electronic data interchange (EDI), office automation tools, and telecommunications provisioning. This broad range of technologies cemented Tymshare’s reputation as an innovative company in the early days of computing.
Introduction to SuperBasic
In the late 1960s, the need for a high-level programming language that could be easily used by a broad spectrum of users became apparent. BASIC (Beginner’s All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code), developed by John G. Kemeny and Thomas E. Kurtz at Dartmouth College in 1964, was one such language designed to be simple enough for novices to learn, yet powerful enough for more advanced applications. The language quickly gained popularity due to its straightforward syntax and ease of use.
Tymshare recognized the potential of BASIC for use within its time-sharing systems and decided to develop a version tailored specifically for its users. The result was Tymshare SuperBasic, an adaptation of the original BASIC language designed to run on Tymshare’s computing platforms.
Tymshare SuperBasic aimed to offer the simplicity of BASIC while also providing specific features needed to make it suitable for time-sharing environments. This included the ability to handle multiple users simultaneously, interact with different hardware systems, and work within the unique constraints of remote computing. In this way, SuperBasic was not just another version of BASIC; it was a programming tool designed with the particular requirements of time-sharing services in mind.
Features and Characteristics of Tymshare SuperBasic
One of the key features of Tymshare SuperBasic was its emphasis on ease of use. As with the original BASIC language, SuperBasic was designed to allow individuals with little to no programming experience to write useful programs quickly. The language was simple and required only basic knowledge of computer science principles to get started.
Despite its simplicity, SuperBasic offered a range of functionalities that made it suitable for more advanced users as well. For example, the language supported a variety of control structures, such as loops and conditionals, that enabled users to write more complex programs. SuperBasic also supported basic input and output operations, which were essential for interactive applications.
A key advantage of Tymshare SuperBasic was its ability to integrate easily with Tymshare’s time-sharing systems. Because the language was optimized for these environments, users could write programs that interacted directly with the computing resources available through Tymshare’s network. This integration allowed users to perform computations, store data, and run applications on remote servers without needing to understand the underlying hardware.
Another notable feature of Tymshare SuperBasic was its support for database operations. Tymshare was at the forefront of database technology during its heyday, and SuperBasic was designed with the ability to interface with Tymshare’s proprietary Magnum database system. This made SuperBasic an important tool for businesses and researchers who needed to work with large datasets and run complex queries.
Despite these advanced features, Tymshare SuperBasic retained much of the simplicity that made BASIC so popular. It was easy to learn, and many users were able to get started with programming on Tymshare’s systems with minimal training.
Tymshare’s Role in the Broader Computing Landscape
Tymshare’s contribution to the computing industry extended far beyond the development of SuperBasic. The company was involved in several key innovations that helped shape the future of computing. For instance, Tymshare was a pioneer in data networking with its Tymnet service, which provided a foundation for remote access to computers. Tymshare was also instrumental in the development of electronic data interchange (EDI), which became an important part of business operations in the 1980s and beyond.
Additionally, Tymshare’s involvement in office automation, with tools like August and Augment, helped shape the way businesses used computers for productivity. These applications allowed organizations to streamline their workflows and improve collaboration, making them early examples of the kinds of tools that would become commonplace in the modern office environment.
Tymshare’s efforts in telecommunications provisioning through its COEES system were also groundbreaking. This system helped manage telecommunications services for large enterprises, contributing to the growth of the telecommunications industry.
Tymshare’s technology was not limited to its time-sharing services or office automation tools. The company was also deeply involved in the development of various computing platforms, ranging from the SDS 940 to the DEC PDP-10 and IBM 360/370 systems. These platforms were at the cutting edge of their time and provided the foundation for many of the applications that would come to define the future of computing.
The Decline and Legacy of Tymshare
In 1984, Tymshare was acquired by McDonnell Douglas, a major aerospace and defense company. The acquisition marked the beginning of a period of restructuring for Tymshare, as many of its divisions were sold off or merged with other companies. Despite these changes, the technology developed by Tymshare continued to have a significant impact on the computing industry.
In particular, Tymshare’s network technology, including Tymnet, persisted in various forms through acquisitions by companies such as British Telecom (BT), Verizon Communications, and AT&T Inc. Some of Tymshare’s legacy technologies, including its electronic data interchange (EDI) systems, continued to be used by businesses and industries around the world for many years after the company’s dissolution.
Today, Tymshare’s contributions to the world of computing are often overlooked in the larger narrative of technological development. However, the company’s innovations in time-sharing, networking, office automation, and database management were instrumental in shaping the way modern computing systems operate.
Conclusion
The Tymshare SuperBasic, while perhaps not as well-known as other programming languages of its era, played a crucial role in the development of time-sharing systems and early database management technologies. As an adaptation of BASIC, it combined the simplicity of the original language with the specific needs of Tymshare’s time-sharing environment, providing users with a powerful and accessible tool for remote computing.
In a broader sense, Tymshare’s influence on the computing industry can be seen in the many innovations it contributed to, from data networking to office automation. While the company itself may no longer exist, its technological legacy continues to impact industries worldwide, thanks in part to its pioneering work in computing, telecommunications, and data management.
The story of Tymshare is a reminder of the significant role that smaller, lesser-known companies can play in shaping the technological landscape, and how their contributions can continue to influence modern technologies long after their operations have ceased. The Tymshare SuperBasic, while a product of its time, stands as a testament to the ingenuity and forward-thinking of those who worked to make computing more accessible and useful to a broader audience.