Atari BASIC

This article is about the standard BASIC for Atari 8-bit computers. For Atari's version of Microsoft BASIC, see Atari Microsoft BASIC. For the Atari ST language, see Atari ST BASIC. For the Atari 2600 cartridge, see BASIC Programming.
Atari BASIC
A program ready to run
FamilyBASIC
Designed byPaul Laughton
Kathleen O'Brien
Carol Shaw (docs)
Keith Brewster (docs)
DeveloperShepardson Microsystems
First appeared1979; 45 years ago (1979)
Stable release
Revision C / 1983; 41 years ago (1983)
PlatformAtari 8-bit computers
LicenseCommercial proprietary software
Influenced by
Data General Business Basic[1]
Influenced
BASIC A+, BASIC XL, BASIC XE, Turbo-BASIC XL

Atari BASIC is an interpreter for the BASIC programming language that shipped with Atari 8-bit computers. Unlike most American BASICs of the home computer era, Atari BASIC is not a derivative of Microsoft BASIC and differs in significant ways. It includes keywords for Atari-specific features and lacks support for string arrays.

The language was distributed as an 8 KB ROM cartridge for use with the 1979 Atari 400 and 800 computers. Starting with the 600XL and 800XL in 1983, BASIC is built into the system. There are three primary versions of the software: the original cartridge-based "A", the built-in "B" for the 600XL/800XL, and the final "C" version in late-model XLs and the XE series.

Despite the Atari 8-bit computers running at a higher speed than most of its contemporaries, several technical decisions placed Atari BASIC near the bottom in performance benchmarks. The original authors addressed most of these issues in a series of improved versions: BASIC A+ (1981), BASIC XL (1983), and BASIC XE (1985).

The complete, annotated source code and design specifications of Atari BASIC were published as The Atari BASIC Source Book in 1983.[2]

  1. ^ Lorenzo, Mark (2017). Endless Loop: The History of the BASIC Programming Language. Philadelphia: SE Books. p. 106. ISBN 978-1974-27707-0.
  2. ^ Wilkinson, O'Brien & Laughton 1983.