High-level computer-programming language, developed in 1964, originally designed to take advantage of
multiuser systems (which can be used by many people at the same time). The language is relatively easy to learn and is popular among microcomputer users.
Most versions make use of an
interpreter, which translates BASIC into
machine code and allows programs to be entered and run with no intermediate translation. Some more recent versions of BASIC allow a
compiler to be used for this process.
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