The Howdy Glossary

Microsoft's Disk Extended Color BASIC (DECB) served as an advanced upgrade to the original Color BASIC for the TRS-80 Color Computer series, integrating new features such as disk support, enhanced graphics commands, expanded sound capabilities, and increased memory space. Developed by Microsoft during the 1980s, DECB was significant in advancing software development on RadioShack's computers. It has since maintained a niche following among retro computing enthusiasts who use it with legacy systems or their emulated versions.

DECB introduced several unique features that distinguished it from its predecessor and contemporary programming languages. These included disk support for mass storage devices, improved graphics commands allowing more visually appealing applications, added sound capabilities for incorporating audio elements into programs, and extended memory space for more complex developments. These enhancements collectively provided a robust and versatile programming environment tailored to meet the growing demands of developers in the 1980s.

In a competitive landscape where alternatives like Atari BASIC, Apple BASIC, and Commodore BASIC were prominent on their respective platforms (Atari computers, Apple II series, and Commodore machines), DECB stood out with its specific focus on enhancing TRS-80 Color Computer capabilities. Its specialized features—such as comprehensive disk support—augmented graphical commands and expanded sound functionalities—gave it notable advantages over its rivals. This made DECB a preferred choice among developers working on RadioShack’s machines by offering an advanced set of tools that significantly bolstered software development possibilities on this particular platform.