Microsoft Open-Sources Historic 6502 BASIC
In a major move for computing history, Microsoft has released the source code for its 6502 BASIC interpreter. This landmark release makes the company’s first-ever product, originally written by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in 1975, accessible to the public for the first time.
This specific version, known as BASIC M6502 8K VER 1.1, was adapted for the MOS 6502 processor and became the foundation for Commodore BASIC, the language used by millions of users on the PET, VIC-20, and Commodore 64. The newly released code includes fixes from 1978 and adaptations for the Apple II, which formed the basis of Applesoft BASIC.
The release is the result of tireless work by preservationists who have reconstructed and verified the original code. By making this source code open, Microsoft is celebrating its legacy and ensuring that this crucial piece of programming history is preserved for future generations. It underscores the enduring influence of BASIC, a language that paved the way for modern programming tools like Visual Basic.