Microsoft Basic 1.0 Explained

BASIC 1.0
Latest Release Version:BASIC 512
Platform:Thomson computers
Genre:Microsoft BASIC

BASIC 1.0[1] [2] [3] [4] is the standard BASIC language for Thomson computers (MO5, TO7, etc.), which is the reference for the entire range.[5] [6] [7] This is an implementation of Microsoft BASIC (BASIC-69).It was used to introduce children from France to programming in the 1980s (see Computing for All, a 1985 French government plan to introduce computers to the country's 11 million pupils).[8] [9] Three languages were mainly taught: LSE, BASIC and LOGO. School textbooks programs were given in BASIC 1.0 for Thomson and sometimes in ExelBasic for the Exelvision EXL 100.

The first version came with the TO7 computer, released in 1982.[10] [11] [12] [13] [14] On the MO5 (released in 1984 but with smaller ROM), the instruction set is reduced and the double precision is not implemented, so that the interpreter fits in only 12 KB of ROM, instead of 16 KB on the TO7.[15]

An upgraded version was produced under the name of BASIC 128, for the TO7-70, TO9, MO5NR and MO6.[16] [17] [18] It included commands for disc operations and other new instructions.

On the TO8/8D and TO9+, an even more upgraded version under the name of BASIC 512 was provided.[19] [20]

Keywords

BASIC 1.0 interpreter recognizes the usual commands such as FOR..NEXT, GOSUB..RETURN, IF..THEN..ELSE, and DATA / READ / RESTORE statements. Advanced instructions like ON..GOTO and ON..GOSUB were also possible.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Thomson MO 5 . 2022-11-28 . www.old-computers.com.
  2. Web site: Thomson TO 7 . 2022-11-28 . www.old-computers.com.
  3. Web site: 2018 . Thomson TO7 . Obsolete Tears.
  4. Web site: Roug . Søren . Quick reference guide to BASIC 1.0 . 2022-11-28 . Roug Website.
  5. Web site: 2015 . documentations:basic_howto . Demomaker's guide to Thomson computers.
  6. News: Debart . Patrice . December 1986 . Bidouille du système Thomson TO7 - MO5 - TO9 . Le Bulletin de l'EPI . 44 .
  7. Web site: 2015 . documentations:basic_keywords . Demomaker's guide to Thomson computers.
  8. Web site: Ina.fr . Institut National de l’Audiovisuel- . January 1985 . Plan informatique : conférence de presse Fabius . Ina.fr.
  9. DELHAYE . 1987 . DES PROCÉDURES UTILITAIRES EN BASIC POUR TO7 ET MO5 . Le Bulletin de l'EPI . 48 . 217.
  10. Web site: 2012 . THOMSON TO7/70 . 2022-11-28 . Ordinateur de collection.
  11. Book: Blondel . Initiation au BASIC TO7/TO7-70 . CEDIC . 1982.
  12. Book: Wanner . Aller plus loin em BASIC TO7 . EYROLLES . 1984.
  13. Book: Trost . TO7 56 Programmes BASIC . Sybex . 1984.
  14. Book: Monsaut . Jeux en BASIC sur TO7 . Sybex . 1984.
  15. Book: Trost . MO5 56 Programmes . Sybex . 1984.
  16. Web site: Fabio . Paolo . January 15, 2018 . Retrocomputing: How to install Thomson MO5, MO6, TO7, TO8, TO9 and Olivetti Prodest PC 128 emulator on Windows, Apple Mac, Linux and BSD . Paolo Fabio Zaino's Blog.
  17. Book: Blondel . Initiation au BASIC 128 TO7-70 . CEDIC . 1985.
  18. Book: Nabonne . Interpreteur BASIC 1.0 des TO7-70 et TO9 . EYROLLES . 1986.
  19. Web site: Thomson TO 8 - TO 8D . 2022-11-28 . www.old-computers.com.
  20. Web site: Thomson TO 9 plus . www.old-computers.com.