The Howdy Glossary

Commodore BASIC is a specialized version of the Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code (BASIC) designed specifically for Commodore International computers such as the PET series, VIC-20, C64, and C128. Created by Microsoft, with Bill Gates and Paul Allen playing pivotal roles in its development, this programming language aimed to provide an accessible platform for beginners to learn coding. It featured commands that were customized to harness the graphics and sound capabilities unique to Commodore machines, fostering a user-friendly environment ideal for newcomers to programming.

The language included specific features tailored to the hardware of Commodore computers. These commands facilitated graphic designs and sound production, enabling users to create visually appealing programs and games that fully utilized their machine's resources. This seamless integration with hardware made it easy for users to interact with their systems efficiently. The straightforward syntax and user-friendly nature of Commodore BASIC ensured that even those without prior programming experience could write code and explore computational possibilities effectively.

Unlike other versions of BASIC or alternative languages like Pascal or Fortran which offered general-purpose solutions across different platforms, Commodore BASIC excelled through its close alignment with the unique specifications of Commodore machines. This specialization allowed users not only to learn programming but also directly engage with their system’s graphics and audio capabilities in an optimized manner. Consequently, it became a preferred choice among owners of PET series, VIC-20, C64, and C128 computers who sought an approachable yet powerful entry point into software development.