What Computer Language Did Microsoft Create?

Today's computer applications are written in complex programming languages with origins stretching back nearly 50 years. In 1975, the Altair hobby computer and an upstart company known as Microsoft joined to offer the BASIC computer language and ignite the PC era. This article illustrates how Microsoft introduced the first widely used computer language, Microsoft BASIC, and several more programming tools.

Microsoft BASIC

In 1975 Microsoft founders Bill Gates and Paul Allen, along with programmer Monte Davidoff, created Altair BASIC, a variant of Microsoft BASIC. The Altair, a hobbyist computer, marked the start of the home-PC revolution, while Altair BASIC helped launch Microsoft's licensing empire. Unlike previous versions of BASIC, designed to teach students and others computer programming, Altair BASIC cost less than earlier versions and did not require dedicated hardware. Altair BASIC needed just 4 kilobytes of memory.

ROM BASIC

Because Microsoft BASIC required just 4 kilobytes (later 8 kilobytes) of memory, it could fit in a computer's read-only memory (ROM). A PC's ROM loaded when a computer was started, permitting new PC owners to start programming BASIC to be available for simple programming as soon as the ubiquitous "Ready" prompt appeared on the screen. Along with instant access, Microsoft BASIC also included longer strings allowing computer users to create easier-to-understand programs. No disk drive was required.

BASIC Variants

Many Microsoft BASIC variants were created for the burgeoning number of personal computers entering society. This opportunity helped Microsoft begin its long-lived licensing of computer software. Along with the Altair, Microsoft BASIC was licensed as PET Basic for the Commodore (1977), AppleSoft (a combination of Apple and Microsoft), IBM's Advanced BASIC and Color BASIC for the TRS-80 home computer. Other home PCs, including the Amiga and Atari, are among around two dozen versions of Microsoft Basic eventually sold.

Visual BASIC

While Microsoft BASIC was designed for new computer owners, Visual Basic was aimed at application developers. Visual Basic (or VB) was a windowing version of BASIC, combining the easy-to-understand first language with something that could access Microsoft's Windows platform. Introduced in 1991, Visual Basic was described as an object-oriented language like C but designed for Windows 3.0. Visual Basic ended in 1998 and was superseded by Visual Basic.Net in 2008. VB.Net was eventually renamed Visual Basic.

C#

C# (pronounced "C Sharp") was introduced in July 2000 by Microsoft. Designed for programmers accustomed to the object-oriented C and C++ languages, C# came about during the development of the software maker's .NET platform. Development of Microsoft's C# was led by Anders Hejlsberg, who also created Turbo Pascal. C# was originally named "Cool," for "C-Like Object Oriented Language." C++ is now part of Microsoft's .NET, a development framework for Windows-based applications.

References

• Introduction to Visual Basic.NET
• Microsoft BASIC
• Microsoft BASIC -- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia