I've used BASIC quite a bit on the C64 as a prototype tool. Everything ran so slowly that even the slightest performance gain in my algorithms where noticeable

I've used BASIC quite a bit on the C64 as a prototype tool. Everything ran so slowly that even the slightest performance gain in my algorithms where noticeable with the naked eye. So when my demos where coded in assembly I knew which algorithms where the fastest. Ahh the memories :-) I'm not sure BASIC captures the imagination of kids these days. _why's Shoes does a much better job.