The BASIC programming language turns 60 Easy-to-use language that drove Apple, TRS-80, IBM, and Commodore PCs debuted in 1964.

BASIC's allure came from its simplicity. Designed as an interpreted language, it allowed programs to be written and executed line-by-line, an approach that resonated deeply with beginners.

60 years ago, the inventors of the BASIC programming language actually achieved what they had hoped for: simple programming that is accessible to everyone.

This is why I’ve long argued that BASIC is the most consequential language in the history of computing. It’s a language for noobs, sure, but back then most everyone was a noob.

The book was full of simple programs written in the accessible BASIC programming language.

But most important was how he helped generations of other people achieve things: he co-invented BASIC, the programming language most easily-grasped by everyday users. Kurtz is dead at 96.

According to the TIOBE Programming Community index, the following are the top 10 programming languages in August 2025. Python: A general-purpose programming language commonly used for back-end ...