The Howdy Glossary

Locomotive BASIC is a programming language developed by Locomotive Software specifically for the Amstrad CPC series of 8-bit home computers, launched in 1985 alongside the Amstrad CPC464. This language provided direct access to hardware functions through machine code or ROM calls, an essential feature that enabled developers to create advanced games and applications tailored to the capabilities of these early home computers. By interfacing with hardware at a low level, Locomotive BASIC empowered programmers to fully leverage the system's potential.

Compared to its contemporaries like Sinclair BASIC for ZX Spectrum and Commodore BASIC for Commodore 64, Locomotive BASIC's standout feature was its ability to provide direct hardware access. This allowed developers working on the Amstrad CPC series to craft more sophisticated software by optimizing performance and utilizing specialized functions not readily accessible through higher-level programming methods. Consequently, this capability made it possible for users of Locomotive BASIC to push software development boundaries further than those using other home computer languages of that era.

The language’s accessibility and lower-level interaction with hardware made it particularly attractive for early developers, hobbyists, and game programmers using affordable home machines such as the Amstrad CPC464. The balance between ease of use and powerful functionalities meant that a broad range of users could explore computer programming more deeply than they might have been able with competing languages. This combination helped establish a foundational understanding among early programmers that would influence subsequent programming practices in more advanced languages like C and Pascal.