Standard for the programming language Minimal BASIC X3.60-1978, a 1978 standard for minimal features, and X3.113-1987, the full BASIC standard; rarely implemented fully.
interactive interpreter for big integer arithmetic and multi-precision floating point arithmetic with a Pascal/Modula-like syntax. It has several builtin functions for algorithmic number theory like gcd, Jacobi symbol, Rabin probabilistic prime test, factorization algorithms (Pollard rho, elliptic curve, continued fraction, quadratic sieve), etc.
The standard cartridge-based interpreter for the
Atari 400/800 personal computers and successors. On later machines, such as the
Atari 800XL, this was built into the ROM.
(Suite of programs by Anywhere Software with IDE running on Microsoft Windows that compiles code for ANDROID | IOS | WINDOWS | MAC | LINUX | ARDUINO | RASPBERRY PI | ESP8266/ESP32)
(
Microsoft Windows) – putatively under development by Leodescal Softwares; the first officially launched version is supposed to produce stand-alone executables
(
Microsoft Windows,
Linux,
Unix) – BASIC IDE with text and graphics output, written to introduce children to programming. Originally known as
KidBASIC.[15]
small command line tool that inputs a BCX BASIC source code file and outputs a 'C' source code file which can be compiled with many C or C++ compilers.
(a.k.a. BXBASM) (Win32, Linux)[22] Bxbasic is presented as a programming tutorial, to develop and construct a Console Mode Scripting Engine and Byte Code Compiler.
"
ByteWide BASIC", a stand-alone
Z-80bitwise port of
Tiny BASIC - co developed by Pro-Log Corporation and ByteWide Systems, Australia. Intended for control applications.
(a.k.a. bwBASIC) – an
open source interpreter for
DOS and
POSIX. Bwbasic contains only a small portion of the ANSI BASIC commands. Its main advantage is that one can also use shell commands in programs, an unusual feature in any BASIC implementation. It could theoretically be used as the main shell on a DOS or POSIX system, with some advantages.[23][24]
(a.k.a. CBM BASIC) (Various computers in
CBM's line of 8-bit computers) – Integrated in the ROM of
CBM 8-bit computers. Built on an early version of 6502
Microsoft BASIC. Several versions existed; the best-known was Commodore Basic V2, as used in the
Commodore 64.
for
GBA handheld video game; also useful for
Nintendo DS homebrew.[31] Dragon Basic is a sort of cross-compiler with IDE that runs on Microsoft Windows.[32]
(
Windows) – SPEL+ is a BASIC-like programming language that runs in the Epson robot controllers. It supports multitasking, motion control, and I/O control.
(
ESP8266 and NodeMCU) - An open-source basic interpreter specifically tailored for the internet of things. Self-hosting browser-based development environment.
(DOS (DPMI32), MS Windows,
Xbox, Linux,
FreeBSD) – An
open source (
GPL) BASIC compiler, that employs a similar syntax to
QuickBASIC's, with more advanced features like
pointers and
object-oriented programming, it also supports a dialect specially designed to be compatible with QuickBASIC. Graphical IDEs like WinFBE and VisualFBEditor exist for the language.[35]
(Microchip
PIC, AVR & LGT (Logic Green Technologies)) – Open source compiler for 8-bit architecture PIC, AVR and LGT microcontrollers maintained by Evan R. Venn. From March 2023 Great Cow BASIC was renamed as GCBASIC.
(Atari ST, Amiga, DOS, Windows) – Originally conceived on the
Atari ST where it became one of the most popular BASICs for that platform (it almost became a standard language for the Atari ST). Was later
ported to the
Amiga,
DOS and
Windows.
Originally VAX BASIC; renamed to
DEC BASIC after VAX/VMS was ported from
VAX to
Alpha processors; renamed to Compaq BASIC after
Compaq acquired DEC; renamed to HP BASIC for OpenVMS name after HP acquired Compaq. Now known as
VSI BASIC for OpenVMS.
HP Basic
version on the HP 39 and 40 programmable calculators.
(
Apple II series) –
Steve Wozniak's own creation. Originally known simply as "Apple BASIC". For the BASICs available at the time, it was very fast and
memory-efficient. Only supported
integers. Came as standard on the
Apple I and original
Apple II
(
Windows) Uses dialog boxes for every command and directs essential message queue messages to predefined functions discarding the rest. Tries to keep to the spirit of simple home computer BASICs rather than a fully featured language like Visual Basic.
(Supports various platforms, see page for details) – A simple but powerful programming language built primarily for
game programming by
Blitz Research.
(Atari ST, macOS) – Originally developed by Omikron Software for
Atari ST.[60] In
Germany it was bundled with new
Atari STs for a long time. Was later ported to the
classic Mac OS and was further developed for
macOS.
(
Symbian OS phones and PDAs) – Originally developed for
Psion's product line of organisers and PDAs. OPL used to stand for Organiser Programming Language but after becoming open source in 2003, it was renamed. Available for most of Psion's classic organisers and PDAs,
Nokia 9210/9290/9300/9500 Communicators and
Sony EricssonP800/
P900/
P910.
(a.k.a. Data/BASIC, Databasic) (
Pick operating system) – a BASIC version, extended for business use, and embedded into the Pick environment and variants.
(DOS, Win16, Win32) – free and commercial compilers for DOS and Windows, which focus on fast compile speeds and small binaries. They are Turbo Basic successors.
5 KB and 8 KB BASICs. Created for the SOL-20 computer, but widely ported to other platforms as Processor Technology published the 8080 source code. Nevada BASIC (CP/M) and Utah BASIC [MS-DOS] were the latest ports.
(
Microsoft Windows (x86, x64),
Linux (x86, x64),
AmigaOS,
macOS (x64, arm64
Apple silicon) and Raspberry Pi (arm32, arm64)) – Cross-platform program development language, 32 & 64bit. Fast compiler with many functions that creates fast and small standalone native executables which do not require
runtime DLLs. It compiles with
FASM or a C compiler, and has inline support.
(
Windows,
Linux and
macOS) –
Self-hosting BASIC compiler for Microsoft Windows, Linux and macOS. Aims at full compatibility with Microsoft QBasic and QuickBASIC. BASIC code is translated to C++ and then compiled to executable form. An
event drivenGUI builder named InForm exists for QB64.[68]
(
DOS on the
PC) – by
Microsoft. Subset of QuickBASIC. Came with versions of
MS-DOS from 5.0 to 6.22. Also included with DOS 7 (what Windows 95 runs on,) and available from the install CD of Windows 98.
(
DOS on the
PC) by
Microsoft. An evolution of BASICA/GW-BASIC to block-structured lexical syntax that does not require line numbers, with many added intrinsic functions and language features (e.g. loop and conditional control constructs, file modes, and mixed-language programming support). Has an
Integrated Development Environment (IDE), intended to compete with Borland Turbo language products (e.g. Turbo BASIC and especially the contemporarily popular Turbo Pascal). Mostly backward-compatible with BASICA source code. Includes a compiler and linker, and produces MS-DOS executables. Released in versions 1.0, 2.0. 3.0. 4.0, & 4.5. QuickBASIC 4.5 was released in 1988. The QuickBASIC 4.5 IDE includes an interpreter, syntax checking, debugging aids, and online help including a full language reference.
(
Windows,
Linux,
Solaris/
SPARC and
HP-UX) – Free, borrowed from
Visual Basic. Useful for graphical interfaces. Works mainly with
QuickBASIC instructions. (Cross-platform, free, no longer being developed). Semi-OO interpreter. Includes
RADIDE.
(
Windows) – Free BASIC interpreter and Robotic Simulator for the Windows OS that allows for Gaming and GUI graphical programming. New version will also compile to stand alone executables.[73]
Cross platform (ANSI C) Open source embeddable interpreter/API. The ScriptBasic project is primarily an embeddable scripting API with examples of a command line interpreter and multi-threaded HTTP application server running as a service.
SpiderBasic is a new web client-side programming language based on established BASIC rules. Its allows development of very complex, windowed based web applications, including mobile app for iOS and Android.
(any
microcomputer, but mostly implemented on early
S-100 bus machines) – Minimalist version which source code was smaller than this article, used on low-memory platforms.
(
TRS-80 Model 100) – based on
Microsoft BASIC, with special support for the RAM file store, LCD display, and other built-in hardware of the TRS-80 Model 100 and
Tandy 102 portable computers
An isomorphic and open source language, fully documented and designed to develop portable programs, without sacrificing efficiency. With a single source it is therefore possible to create games for numerous 8 bit platforms.
(a.k.a. VBS, Visual Basic Script, Visual Basic Scripting Edition) – A subset of
Visual Basic used in
ASP,
Internet Explorer, or under Windows using the
Windows Script Host (WSH) as a general-purpose scripting language. VBScript is often used as a replacement for
DOSbatch files.
first released by Zedcor (Tucson, Arizona) in mid-1985. Versions were made for Apple, DOS, Macintosh CP/M and TRS-80 computers. In 1991, 32 Bit Software Inc. (Dallas, Texas) bought the DOS version and expanded it. Zedcor concentrated on the Apple Mac market and renamed it FutureBASIC. ZBasic was very fast, efficient and advanced, with BCD math precision up to 54 digits.
Zeus|Basic
developed for Windows and Pocket PC by KRMicros (Kronos Robotics).
BASIC extensions
BASIC extensions (a.k.a. BASIC toolkits) extend a particular BASIC.
Basic Lightning(C64) – The White Lightning development suite, by
Oasis Software included also a quite capable BASIC extension for the Commodore BASIC 2.0
Graphics BASIC (C64) – Third-party extension of the C64's Commodore BASIC 2.0
Laser Basic(C64) – Ocean Software's updated version of The White Lightning development suite, which extended Commodore BASIC 2.0. A compiler named Laser Basic Compiler was available.
^Speed, Richard (2022-05-06).
"RAD Basic – the Visual Basic 7 that never was – releases third alpha". The Register. Retrieved 2023-03-26. RAD Basic is not the only game in town. Alternatives in varying stages of development include twinBASIC, which also aims to be backwards compatible with VB6 and VBA; and FreeBASIC, which implements much of what lurked in Microsoft QuickBASIC (and has a nifty IDE in the form of VisualFBEditor).
^"BASICs". gotBASIC.com. Retrieved 2024-04-13. NEXTBasic: A customized Basic language, inspired by Visual Basic .NET, that targets the Sega Genesis (Mega Drive).
^Rogoz, Ivan (2022-04-07).
"Blast from the past - QBasic 4.5". Barn Lab. Retrieved 2023-09-26. QB64 comes with a WYSIWYG IDE editor called InForm which brings it closer to everyday use as a quick and dirty language for automation for Windows.
Standard for the programming language Minimal BASIC X3.60-1978, a 1978 standard for minimal features, and X3.113-1987, the full BASIC standard; rarely implemented fully.
interactive interpreter for big integer arithmetic and multi-precision floating point arithmetic with a Pascal/Modula-like syntax. It has several builtin functions for algorithmic number theory like gcd, Jacobi symbol, Rabin probabilistic prime test, factorization algorithms (Pollard rho, elliptic curve, continued fraction, quadratic sieve), etc.
The standard cartridge-based interpreter for the
Atari 400/800 personal computers and successors. On later machines, such as the
Atari 800XL, this was built into the ROM.
(Suite of programs by Anywhere Software with IDE running on Microsoft Windows that compiles code for ANDROID | IOS | WINDOWS | MAC | LINUX | ARDUINO | RASPBERRY PI | ESP8266/ESP32)
(
Microsoft Windows) – putatively under development by Leodescal Softwares; the first officially launched version is supposed to produce stand-alone executables
(
Microsoft Windows,
Linux,
Unix) – BASIC IDE with text and graphics output, written to introduce children to programming. Originally known as
KidBASIC.[15]
small command line tool that inputs a BCX BASIC source code file and outputs a 'C' source code file which can be compiled with many C or C++ compilers.
(a.k.a. BXBASM) (Win32, Linux)[22] Bxbasic is presented as a programming tutorial, to develop and construct a Console Mode Scripting Engine and Byte Code Compiler.
"
ByteWide BASIC", a stand-alone
Z-80bitwise port of
Tiny BASIC - co developed by Pro-Log Corporation and ByteWide Systems, Australia. Intended for control applications.
(a.k.a. bwBASIC) – an
open source interpreter for
DOS and
POSIX. Bwbasic contains only a small portion of the ANSI BASIC commands. Its main advantage is that one can also use shell commands in programs, an unusual feature in any BASIC implementation. It could theoretically be used as the main shell on a DOS or POSIX system, with some advantages.[23][24]
(a.k.a. CBM BASIC) (Various computers in
CBM's line of 8-bit computers) – Integrated in the ROM of
CBM 8-bit computers. Built on an early version of 6502
Microsoft BASIC. Several versions existed; the best-known was Commodore Basic V2, as used in the
Commodore 64.
for
GBA handheld video game; also useful for
Nintendo DS homebrew.[31] Dragon Basic is a sort of cross-compiler with IDE that runs on Microsoft Windows.[32]
(
Windows) – SPEL+ is a BASIC-like programming language that runs in the Epson robot controllers. It supports multitasking, motion control, and I/O control.
(
ESP8266 and NodeMCU) - An open-source basic interpreter specifically tailored for the internet of things. Self-hosting browser-based development environment.
(DOS (DPMI32), MS Windows,
Xbox, Linux,
FreeBSD) – An
open source (
GPL) BASIC compiler, that employs a similar syntax to
QuickBASIC's, with more advanced features like
pointers and
object-oriented programming, it also supports a dialect specially designed to be compatible with QuickBASIC. Graphical IDEs like WinFBE and VisualFBEditor exist for the language.[35]
(Microchip
PIC, AVR & LGT (Logic Green Technologies)) – Open source compiler for 8-bit architecture PIC, AVR and LGT microcontrollers maintained by Evan R. Venn. From March 2023 Great Cow BASIC was renamed as GCBASIC.
(Atari ST, Amiga, DOS, Windows) – Originally conceived on the
Atari ST where it became one of the most popular BASICs for that platform (it almost became a standard language for the Atari ST). Was later
ported to the
Amiga,
DOS and
Windows.
Originally VAX BASIC; renamed to
DEC BASIC after VAX/VMS was ported from
VAX to
Alpha processors; renamed to Compaq BASIC after
Compaq acquired DEC; renamed to HP BASIC for OpenVMS name after HP acquired Compaq. Now known as
VSI BASIC for OpenVMS.
HP Basic
version on the HP 39 and 40 programmable calculators.
(
Apple II series) –
Steve Wozniak's own creation. Originally known simply as "Apple BASIC". For the BASICs available at the time, it was very fast and
memory-efficient. Only supported
integers. Came as standard on the
Apple I and original
Apple II
(
Windows) Uses dialog boxes for every command and directs essential message queue messages to predefined functions discarding the rest. Tries to keep to the spirit of simple home computer BASICs rather than a fully featured language like Visual Basic.
(Supports various platforms, see page for details) – A simple but powerful programming language built primarily for
game programming by
Blitz Research.
(Atari ST, macOS) – Originally developed by Omikron Software for
Atari ST.[60] In
Germany it was bundled with new
Atari STs for a long time. Was later ported to the
classic Mac OS and was further developed for
macOS.
(
Symbian OS phones and PDAs) – Originally developed for
Psion's product line of organisers and PDAs. OPL used to stand for Organiser Programming Language but after becoming open source in 2003, it was renamed. Available for most of Psion's classic organisers and PDAs,
Nokia 9210/9290/9300/9500 Communicators and
Sony EricssonP800/
P900/
P910.
(a.k.a. Data/BASIC, Databasic) (
Pick operating system) – a BASIC version, extended for business use, and embedded into the Pick environment and variants.
(DOS, Win16, Win32) – free and commercial compilers for DOS and Windows, which focus on fast compile speeds and small binaries. They are Turbo Basic successors.
5 KB and 8 KB BASICs. Created for the SOL-20 computer, but widely ported to other platforms as Processor Technology published the 8080 source code. Nevada BASIC (CP/M) and Utah BASIC [MS-DOS] were the latest ports.
(
Microsoft Windows (x86, x64),
Linux (x86, x64),
AmigaOS,
macOS (x64, arm64
Apple silicon) and Raspberry Pi (arm32, arm64)) – Cross-platform program development language, 32 & 64bit. Fast compiler with many functions that creates fast and small standalone native executables which do not require
runtime DLLs. It compiles with
FASM or a C compiler, and has inline support.
(
Windows,
Linux and
macOS) –
Self-hosting BASIC compiler for Microsoft Windows, Linux and macOS. Aims at full compatibility with Microsoft QBasic and QuickBASIC. BASIC code is translated to C++ and then compiled to executable form. An
event drivenGUI builder named InForm exists for QB64.[68]
(
DOS on the
PC) – by
Microsoft. Subset of QuickBASIC. Came with versions of
MS-DOS from 5.0 to 6.22. Also included with DOS 7 (what Windows 95 runs on,) and available from the install CD of Windows 98.
(
DOS on the
PC) by
Microsoft. An evolution of BASICA/GW-BASIC to block-structured lexical syntax that does not require line numbers, with many added intrinsic functions and language features (e.g. loop and conditional control constructs, file modes, and mixed-language programming support). Has an
Integrated Development Environment (IDE), intended to compete with Borland Turbo language products (e.g. Turbo BASIC and especially the contemporarily popular Turbo Pascal). Mostly backward-compatible with BASICA source code. Includes a compiler and linker, and produces MS-DOS executables. Released in versions 1.0, 2.0. 3.0. 4.0, & 4.5. QuickBASIC 4.5 was released in 1988. The QuickBASIC 4.5 IDE includes an interpreter, syntax checking, debugging aids, and online help including a full language reference.
(
Windows,
Linux,
Solaris/
SPARC and
HP-UX) – Free, borrowed from
Visual Basic. Useful for graphical interfaces. Works mainly with
QuickBASIC instructions. (Cross-platform, free, no longer being developed). Semi-OO interpreter. Includes
RADIDE.
(
Windows) – Free BASIC interpreter and Robotic Simulator for the Windows OS that allows for Gaming and GUI graphical programming. New version will also compile to stand alone executables.[73]
Cross platform (ANSI C) Open source embeddable interpreter/API. The ScriptBasic project is primarily an embeddable scripting API with examples of a command line interpreter and multi-threaded HTTP application server running as a service.
SpiderBasic is a new web client-side programming language based on established BASIC rules. Its allows development of very complex, windowed based web applications, including mobile app for iOS and Android.
(any
microcomputer, but mostly implemented on early
S-100 bus machines) – Minimalist version which source code was smaller than this article, used on low-memory platforms.
(
TRS-80 Model 100) – based on
Microsoft BASIC, with special support for the RAM file store, LCD display, and other built-in hardware of the TRS-80 Model 100 and
Tandy 102 portable computers
An isomorphic and open source language, fully documented and designed to develop portable programs, without sacrificing efficiency. With a single source it is therefore possible to create games for numerous 8 bit platforms.
(a.k.a. VBS, Visual Basic Script, Visual Basic Scripting Edition) – A subset of
Visual Basic used in
ASP,
Internet Explorer, or under Windows using the
Windows Script Host (WSH) as a general-purpose scripting language. VBScript is often used as a replacement for
DOSbatch files.
first released by Zedcor (Tucson, Arizona) in mid-1985. Versions were made for Apple, DOS, Macintosh CP/M and TRS-80 computers. In 1991, 32 Bit Software Inc. (Dallas, Texas) bought the DOS version and expanded it. Zedcor concentrated on the Apple Mac market and renamed it FutureBASIC. ZBasic was very fast, efficient and advanced, with BCD math precision up to 54 digits.
Zeus|Basic
developed for Windows and Pocket PC by KRMicros (Kronos Robotics).
BASIC extensions
BASIC extensions (a.k.a. BASIC toolkits) extend a particular BASIC.
Basic Lightning(C64) – The White Lightning development suite, by
Oasis Software included also a quite capable BASIC extension for the Commodore BASIC 2.0
Graphics BASIC (C64) – Third-party extension of the C64's Commodore BASIC 2.0
Laser Basic(C64) – Ocean Software's updated version of The White Lightning development suite, which extended Commodore BASIC 2.0. A compiler named Laser Basic Compiler was available.
^Speed, Richard (2022-05-06).
"RAD Basic – the Visual Basic 7 that never was – releases third alpha". The Register. Retrieved 2023-03-26. RAD Basic is not the only game in town. Alternatives in varying stages of development include twinBASIC, which also aims to be backwards compatible with VB6 and VBA; and FreeBASIC, which implements much of what lurked in Microsoft QuickBASIC (and has a nifty IDE in the form of VisualFBEditor).
^"BASICs". gotBASIC.com. Retrieved 2024-04-13. NEXTBasic: A customized Basic language, inspired by Visual Basic .NET, that targets the Sega Genesis (Mega Drive).
^Rogoz, Ivan (2022-04-07).
"Blast from the past - QBasic 4.5". Barn Lab. Retrieved 2023-09-26. QB64 comes with a WYSIWYG IDE editor called InForm which brings it closer to everyday use as a quick and dirty language for automation for Windows.