A Piece of History, Open Sourced: Microsoft Releases 1976's 6502 BASIC
For anyone who grew up in the warm glow of a CRT monitor, the command 10 PRINT "HELLO" is more than just code; it’s a time machine. It evokes memories of discovery, of typing your first program into a Commodore 64 or Apple II and feeling the magic of creation. That simple language was the gateway for a generation of developers.
In a move that feels both surprising and perfectly right, Microsoft has officially released the source code for its legendary 6502 BASIC. The very code, adapted by Bill Gates and Ric Weiland in 1976, that powered a revolution.
The DNA of the 8-bit Era
It’s hard to overstate the importance of this software. This wasn’t just a program; it was the foundational layer, the digital soul, of machines that defined an era. The Apple II, the Commodore PET, the VIC-20, the Atari 2600, and even the Nintendo Entertainment System—all were powered by the 6502 CPU, and Microsoft’s BASIC was the key that unlocked its potential for millions.
For a flat fee of $25,000, Commodore put this code at the heart of its machines, arguably one of the best deals in tech history. It standardized the programming experience and created a common ground where a new culture of hobbyists and future engineers could flourish.
More Than Just Nostalgia
For years, this code has lived in the digital underground, on dusty forums and archived websites. Dedicated preservationists and hobbyists have painstakingly reconstructed it, verifying that the historical source could still produce byte-exact ROMs. Their work was a labor of love, a form of digital archaeology.
Microsoft’s official open-source release is a beautiful validation of that community’s passion. It brings this crucial piece of history out of the grey areas and into the light, with a clear, modern license. This isn’t just about looking at old code; it’s about preserving it, learning from it, and ensuring it’s available for future generations to experiment with on modern emulators and FPGA re-creations.
A Different Kind of Giant
This move also speaks volumes about the cultural shift at Microsoft. The company that once fiercely protected its source code as the crown jewels of its licensing empire is now willingly sharing its origin story on GitHub. Following the earlier release of GW-BASIC, this confirms a welcome trend: Microsoft is embracing its own history and its role within the broader open-source world.
It’s a fantastic gesture. It acknowledges that some code is so historically significant that it belongs to everyone. It’s a win for history, a win for the hobbyist community, and a win for the soul of computing.
If you’re curious, I highly recommend taking a look at the source code on GitHub. You don’t have to be an assembly language expert to appreciate seeing a foundational piece of our digital heritage, now open for all.
