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The meaning of "GW" is controversial according to the Wikipedia entry for GW-BASIC [1]: > There are several theories on what the initials "GW" stand for. Greg
by kranner 6y ago
The meaning of "GW" is controversial according to the Wikipedia entry for GW-BASIC [1]:
> There are several theories on what the initials "GW" stand for. Greg Whitten, an early Microsoft employee who developed the standards in the company's BASIC compiler line, says Bill Gates picked the name GW-BASIC. Whitten refers to it as Gee-Whiz BASIC and is unsure if Gates named the program after him. The Microsoft User Manual from Microsoft Press also refers to it by this name.[citation needed] It may have also been nicknamed Gee-Whiz because of its numerous graphics commands. Other common theories as to the initials' origins include "Graphics and Windows", "Gates, William" (Microsoft's president at the time), or "Gates-Whitten" (the two main designers of the program).
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GW-BASIC https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GW-BASIC
- kristopolous 6y agoThose are all too clean for 1983 Microsoft. I'm more likely to think it's some cutting inside joke, maybe an IBM insult. If they said it was say, something like George Wallace Basic, because they segregated it from IBM basic and only put it on the clones as a "separate but equal basic" I wouldn't think twice. I can even imagine the meeting "We can't say this is George Wallace basic, no". "Fine, it's GW basic. Say it means gee wiz or some shit, just make something up"