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Re:Massacring C Pointers by mikeash on Tuesday June 26, 2018 @11:19AM (#17401237)
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.
Re:Massacring C Pointers by icedchai on Tuesday June 26, 2018 @11:28AM (#17401325)
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!
Re:Massacring C Pointers by mikeash on Tuesday June 26, 2018 @11:55AM (#17401619)
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.
Re:Massacring C Pointers by icedchai on Tuesday June 26, 2018 @01:25PM (#17402462)
Yes, it definitely seems much harder. The BASIC guide that came with my Texas Instruments TI99/4A was my first programming book!