Bill Gates reflects on the recently released Altair BASIC source code, a pivotal moment in Microsoft's history. He reminisces about the challenges and excitement of developing this early software for the Altair 8800 with Paul Allen, including the limited memory constraints and the thrill of seeing it run successfully for the first time. Gates emphasizes the importance of this foundational work, highlighting how it propelled both Microsoft and the broader personal computer revolution forward. He also notes the collaborative nature of early software development and encourages exploration of the code as a window into the past.
Bill Gates, in a blog post titled "Microsoft’s original source code," reflects on the historical significance of recently released Altair BASIC source code, a pivotal piece of software in Microsoft's early history. He details the context surrounding its creation in 1975, highlighting the challenges and excitement of developing for the nascent personal computer market. The Altair 8800, an early personal computer kit, lacked a readily available high-level programming language, presenting a crucial opportunity. Gates, along with Paul Allen, embarked on creating a BASIC interpreter for the Altair, a feat accomplished despite the limitations of the hardware and the pressure of an impending demonstration to MITS, the Altair's manufacturer.
Gates meticulously describes the development process, emphasizing the collaborative effort with Allen and the intense focus required to complete the project within a tight timeframe. They utilized a simulated Altair environment on a PDP-10 minicomputer at Harvard University to develop and test their code, a crucial step given they lacked physical access to an Altair during the initial development phase. The post emphasizes the resourcefulness required to work within the constraints of 8KB of memory, a minuscule amount by today's standards, forcing them to employ clever programming techniques to optimize code size and functionality.
The successful demonstration of the interpreter marked a turning point, not only validating their efforts but also laying the foundation for Microsoft's future. Gates emphasizes the importance of this accomplishment as a catalyst for the personal computer revolution, demonstrating the potential of software to empower individuals and unlock the capabilities of these early machines. He expresses a sense of nostalgia and pride, recognizing the historical significance of Altair BASIC and its role in shaping the technology landscape we experience today. The release of the source code provides a tangible link to this pivotal moment in computing history, allowing enthusiasts and researchers to examine the foundational elements of one of the industry's most influential companies. He concludes by expressing hope that this glimpse into the past will inspire the next generation of innovators and programmers.
Summary of Comments ( 197 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43575884
HN commenters discuss the historical significance of Microsoft's early source code release, noting its impact on the industry and the evolution of programming practices. Several commenters reminisce about using these early versions of BASIC and DOS, sharing personal anecdotes about their first experiences with computing. Some express interest in examining the code for educational purposes, to learn from the simple yet effective design choices. A few discuss the legal implications of releasing decades-old code, and the potential for discovering hidden vulnerabilities. The challenges of understanding code written with now-obsolete practices are also mentioned. Finally, some commenters speculate on the motivations behind Microsoft's decision to open-source this historical artifact.
The Hacker News post titled "Microsoft’s original source code" (linking to a GatesNotes piece about the release of the Altair BASIC source code) generated a fair amount of discussion, with a number of commenters reminiscing about early personal computing experiences and the historical significance of this code release.
Several commenters focused on the technical aspects of the code. Some praised the ingenuity and efficiency of the code, considering the limited resources of the Altair 8800. Others pointed out the challenges faced by early programmers working with such constraints. The simplicity and readability of the code were also highlighted, with some contrasting it with the complexity of modern software. The use of assembly language and the small size of the interpreter were recurring topics.
A few commenters discussed the business aspects of Microsoft's early days, especially the licensing of Altair BASIC. The story of how Microsoft licensed the interpreter, rather than selling it outright, was recounted, emphasizing the shrewdness of this decision which helped propel the company's growth. Some also mentioned the controversies surrounding the unauthorized copying of early software, a practice sometimes referred to as "piracy," which was prevalent at the time.
Nostalgia for the early days of personal computing was a common theme. Commenters shared personal anecdotes about their experiences with the Altair and other early machines, recalling the excitement and experimentation surrounding this nascent technology. Some discussed the impact of BASIC on their careers and the accessibility it offered to budding programmers.
The historical significance of Altair BASIC and its role in the development of the personal computer industry were repeatedly emphasized. Several commenters considered the code a valuable artifact of computing history, offering a glimpse into the origins of a now ubiquitous technology.
Some technical details about the development and implementation of Altair BASIC were also discussed, such as the use of a paper tape reader for input and the challenges of debugging code on limited hardware. The porting of BASIC to other early computer platforms was also mentioned.
Finally, a few commenters expressed skepticism about the originality of the released code, questioning whether it truly represented the earliest version. This led to some discussion about the evolution of the codebase and the challenges of preserving historical software. Overall, the comments reflected a mix of technical analysis, historical reflection, and personal anecdotes related to this important piece of software history.