-> The Basic language probably reached it's peak of actual
-> use when deployed on computers that only had text shells
-> as their primary interface (Apple II, C64, BBC, PC-XT,
-> etc.) A lot of kids learned to program on such, perhaps
-> more than with the so-called "friendlier" GUI IDEs.
Not just kids, either. A lot of older people learned to program with
those early BASICs, and are still most comfortable with them.
In about 1985, I appeared as a member of a panel of "experts" in a TV
show about microcomputers. One of the questions we were asked was "What
language will be the most used to program microcomputers five years
from now?" (i.e. in about 1990). Other people on the panel answered
with languages that were then trendy, such as Logo and Forth. I
answered "BASIC, because so many people are already familiar with it."
Time proved me right. The program was re-run for many years (and I kept
getting royalty cheques). My answer stayed valid.
dow
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