Story perspectives

Microsoft Open-Sources BASIC, Reviving Retro Programming Legacy

9/9/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Microsoft has open-sourced Microsoft BASIC for 6502 Version 1.1 on GitHub under the MIT license.
The release includes 6,955 lines of assembly code for free use, modification, and distribution.
BASIC made programming accessible to non-technical users in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
The updated version features bug fixes and improved memory management by Bill Gates and John Feagans.
The code includes Easter eggs, such as a command that displays "MICROSOFT!" on the screen.

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Story summary

Microsoft has open-sourced Microsoft BASIC for 6502 Version 1.1 on GitHub under the MIT license.
The release includes 6,955 lines of assembly code for free use, modification, and distribution.
BASIC made programming accessible to non-technical users in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
The updated version features bug fixes and improved memory management by Bill Gates and John Feagans.
The code includes Easter eggs, such as a command that displays "MICROSOFT!" on the screen.