Microsoft Releases Historic 6502 BASIC to Open Source
Redmond, WA – September 4, 2025 – In a move that has delighted retrocomputing enthusiasts and software historians alike, Microsoft today announced the open-sourcing of its foundational 6502 BASIC interpreter. The code, famously written in large part by a young Bill Gates and Paul Allen, represents a pivotal moment in the history of personal computing and is now available for all to explore, adapt, and learn from.
The release, published on The Register and now widely disseminated, marks a significant moment of cultural and technological preservation. For decades, this early version of BASIC, which powered countless early microcomputers like the Altair 8800, Commodore PET, and Apple II, has been a subject of immense interest. Its availability in the open-source realm promises to democratize access to this seminal piece of software history.
Microsoft has expressed its commitment to fostering innovation and education through this release. By making the 6502 BASIC source code publicly accessible, the company aims to provide a valuable resource for developers, educators, and hobbyists. Students can gain firsthand insight into the principles of interpreter design and early programming paradigms, while experienced developers can delve into the intricacies of a system that laid the groundwork for much of the software industry we know today.
The 6502 BASIC interpreter was instrumental in bringing computing power to a wider audience. Its relatively user-friendly BASIC language allowed individuals without extensive technical backgrounds to write and run their own programs, sparking creativity and paving the way for the personal computer revolution. The code itself is a testament to the ingenuity and efficiency of early software development, often constrained by limited memory and processing power.
This initiative underscores Microsoft’s growing engagement with the open-source community. While the company has a long history of embracing open standards, this particular release holds a special significance due to the historical weight of the software involved. It’s a tangible connection to the very genesis of Microsoft and the dawn of the digital age for many.
Developers and enthusiasts are encouraged to explore the newly released code, which can be found through the established channels for open-source projects. Microsoft has indicated that while this is a foundational release, they are keen to see how the community engages with and potentially contributes to the preservation and understanding of this iconic software. This open-sourcing is not just about releasing code; it’s about sharing a piece of history and inspiring future generations of innovators.
Microsoft open-sources the 6502 BASIC coded by Bill Gates himself
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