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I think the JS comparison undersells it. Many computers would literally drop you into a BASIC prompt at boot. I remember my first encounter with MS-DOS and find

I think the JS comparison undersells it. Many computers would literally drop you into a BASIC prompt at boot. I remember my first encounter with MS-DOS and finding it weird that you had to actually run a program to get to BASIC.

icedchai 8y ago
Yes, you are absolutely correct! BASIC seemed much more accessible on early microcomputers, when compared to any programming language today. Basic essentially was the OS. The Apple II, C64, etc. extended basic with DOS-like commands. They often shipped with BASIC manuals!
- mikeash 8y ago
  Apple’s guide to AppleSoft BASIC came with my IIGS and was my first programming book. It seems so much harder to get started now.
  - icedchai 8y ago
    Yes, it definitely seems much harder. The BASIC guide that came with my Texas Instruments TI99/4A was my first programming book!