Computer programming is quite the journey, with its own language. There are numerous programming languages to choose from, all playing a part in creating software that meets countless needs. For example, accounting software or photo and video editing tools. Without computer programmers and their varied languages, these packages wouldn’t exist. Knowing the importance of these languages and how to use them can be rather rewarding.
The Beginner’s All-Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code, or BASIC, is one such computer programming language. In fact, it consists of many different higher-level languages. Originally developed in the 1960’s to enable individuals outside the scientific and mathematical fields to access computers more easily, as they would not have been trained to customise software. Consequently, BASIC became a way for all professionals to use computers’ capabilities.
By the 1970’s, BASIC was widely used on microcomputers, whether in its original form or a variant thereof; and by the 1980’s, it could even be run on home computers. Today, BASIC remains popular, as it serves as the basis for many of the more modern programming languages developed in the wake of advanced operating systems and the Internet. When it was created, BASIC was meant for those not particularly trained in mathematics and the sciences.
It was a general purpose language that could cater to many uses and be enhanced by experts. BASIC also had interactive elements and useful error messages, which provided clear explanations of any issues, making it easier for the user to fix them quickly. As a result of its free-of-charge release, BASIC spread very quickly when it was first released. Once the language spread so quickly, it was also easy to modify it and correct errors.
The language was also distributed to a few high schools to increase its visibility. Due to this widespread use, BASIC was soon implemented by several software manufacturers and on several microcomputers. The BASIC language, despite its success, has its dissenters. For example, some programmers believe its scripts don’t follow proper programming practices, and the language is too slow, or perhaps even too simple.
Despite all these, however, BASIC has continued to thrive, succeed, and evolve, thus becoming an ideal tool to introduce beginner programmers to the concept of coding and computer programming. The following are a few facts about the BASIC language. For more information, you can read several key pages online, or use computer programming books.
