Introduction

In the fascinating world of retro computing, Ben Eater’s breadboard 6502 computer has earned quite a reputation. It was, therefore, a bit surprising when we realized we hadn't yet covered his groundbreaking efforts to get Microsoft BASIC running on this vintage machine. But that oversight ends today!

Three-Part Video Series

Prepare yourself for a thrilling three-part video series where Ben Eater embarks on an adventurous quest to port the 1977 version of MS BASIC to his 6502-based computer. In the first installment, viewers get an in-depth look at the nuts and bolts of making BASIC functional on Ben's unique architecture. It’s an enlightening exploration of how MS BASIC adapts to different systems, with Ben ingeniously defining his own framework along the way.

Enhancing BASIC with Display Capabilities

As the series progresses, the excitement intensifies with the next two videos, which focus on enhancing BASIC to work not only with the serial terminal connected to his breadboard but also with an LCD display peripheral. BASIC enthusiasts rejoice! The process revolves around the classic command POKE, but this doesn’t cut it for Ben. He pushes boundaries by creating his own LCDPRINT command, crafted in assembly language, to speed up the output to the LCD display.

Mastering String Handling

Now, having mastered the art of displaying a single character, Ben craves more! He dreams of passing an entire string into his new command: LCDPRINT "Hello World." However, this endeavor leads him down a complex rabbit hole—an intricate dive into how MS BASIC processes strings and evaluates commands. If you’re curious about the inner workings of MS BASIC, this video is a must-see. In this intricate examination, Ben leverages wozmon, an exceptional tool for low-level exploration that aids him in manually dissecting commands and functionality.

Conclusion

All of this is delivered in Ben’s signature style—engaging, accessible, yet unapologetically technical. This series promises to be an exhilarating ride for both retro computing fans and those curious about the underlying workings of BASIC. Brace yourself for some serious nerding out! Don't miss out; the three exciting videos are embedded below, ready for you to immerse yourself in this retro adventure! Will Ben Eater’s quest to conquer Microsoft BASIC redefine your understanding of vintage computing? Tune in to find out!