BBC BASIC

BBC BASIC is a version of the BASIC programming language developed by Acorn Computers for the Acorn BBC Micro computer in the 1980s, with significant contributions from Sophie Wilson and Steve Furber. It was designed to be a powerful and flexible language, with features such as structured programming and procedural programming, similar to those found in Pascal and C (programming language). The language was widely used in United Kingdom schools and was also popular among hobbyist programmers, including David Braben and Ian Bell, who developed the Elite (video game) using BBC BASIC. The language's design was influenced by COMAL and BASIC, and it has been used on various platforms, including the Acorn Electron and Archimedes (computer), developed by Acorn Computers.

Introduction

BBC BASIC is a high-level, interpreted language that was designed to be easy to learn and use, with a syntax similar to BASIC and Pascal. It was developed by Acorn Computers in collaboration with BBC and was first released in 1981 for the Acorn BBC Micro computer, which was designed by Sophie Wilson and Steve Furber. The language was widely used in United Kingdom schools and was also popular among hobbyist programmers, including David Braben and Ian Bell, who developed the Elite (video game) using BBC BASIC. BBC BASIC was also used by Richard Stallman and Linus Torvalds in their early programming endeavors, and it has been influenced by COMAL and BASIC, with similarities to C (programming language) and Java (programming language).

History

The development of BBC BASIC began in the late 1970s, when Acorn Computers was commissioned by the BBC to develop a computer for use in schools, which led to the creation of the Acorn BBC Micro and the development of BBC BASIC by Richard Russell and Sophie Wilson. The language was designed to be a powerful and flexible tool for teaching programming concepts, with features such as structured programming and procedural programming, similar to those found in Pascal and C (programming language). The first version of BBC BASIC was released in 1981 and was widely used in United Kingdom schools, with notable users including David Braben and Ian Bell, who developed the Elite (video game) using BBC BASIC. The language has since been updated and expanded, with new features and implementations being developed by Richard Russell and Acorn Computers, and it has been influenced by COMAL and BASIC, with similarities to C (programming language) and Java (programming language).

Syntax and Features

BBC BASIC has a syntax similar to BASIC and Pascal, with a focus on readability and ease of use, and it has been influenced by COMAL and BASIC. The language supports a range of data types, including integers, floating-point numbers, and string (computer science), and it has a range of control structures, including if-then statements, loop (computer science)s, and subroutines, similar to those found in C (programming language) and Java (programming language). BBC BASIC also supports arrays, record (computer science)s, and object-oriented programming, with similarities to Pascal and C++. The language has a range of built-in functions and procedures, including mathematical functions, string functions, and input/output functions, and it has been used by Richard Stallman and Linus Torvalds in their early programming endeavors.

Implementations

BBC BASIC has been implemented on a range of platforms, including the Acorn BBC Micro, Acorn Electron, and Archimedes (computer), developed by Acorn Computers. The language has also been ported to other platforms, including RISC OS, Windows, and Linux, with notable implementations including BBC BASIC for Windows and Brandy BASIC, developed by Richard Russell and Peter Killworth. BBC BASIC has been used by David Braben and Ian Bell to develop the Elite (video game), and it has been influenced by COMAL and BASIC, with similarities to C (programming language) and Java (programming language).

Applications and Usage

BBC BASIC has been widely used in a range of applications, including education, game development, and scientific computing, with notable users including Richard Stallman and Linus Torvalds. The language has been used to develop a range of software, including Elite (video game), Repton (video game) and Exile (video game), and it has been used by David Braben and Ian Bell to develop the Elite (video game). BBC BASIC has also been used in scientific computing and data analysis, with applications in physics, engineering, and economics, and it has been influenced by COMAL and BASIC, with similarities to C (programming language) and Java (programming language). The language continues to be used today, with a range of modern implementations and applications being developed by Richard Russell and Acorn Computers, and it remains a popular choice among hobbyist programmers and educators, including Sophie Wilson and Steve Furber.

Category:Programming languages