What is Macintosh BASIC 1.0 (MacBASIC)?

MacBASIC (Macintosh BASIC)* The name given to the version of BASIC that is being released for the Macintosh by Apple Computer, Inc. This version of BASIC does not require line numbers. Instead, parts of the program are identified and acted upon as distinctive labels. It is semicompiled. This means that each program line is passed to a B-code generator that compiles the line. It accepts entry and displays listings in both upper case and lower case characters. It does, however, treat both character cases as upper case. More than one program can be run at a time by using Output windows to display each program that is being run. Program listings are also displayed in windows that look very much like the List window in Microsoft BASIC.

Macintosh BASIC relies upon the tools that are available in the User Interface Toolbox. It also makes use of the Clipboard, a full screen editor, and the desk accessories. The menu bar for Macintosh BASIC contains menus called Edit, Search, Program and Operate. It also contains the Apple menu. Macintosh BASIC programs can be saved as source code (ASCII text version) or as compiled B-code versions. Programs saved as B-code may only be executed. They cannot be listed. Source code programs can be listed, edited and executed. Files that are generated by Macintosh BASIC will either be sequential files, stream files or relative files. A sequential file is one where data is accessed one character at a time starting at the beginning of the file and ending at the end of the file. A stream file is a sequential file for binary format data. A relative file is a random access file that looks for records instead of characters.

Phillips, Gary. (1984). Apple Macintosh Encyclopedia. (pgs. 181-182).

Download Macintosh BASIC 1.0 (MacBASIC) for Mac

Architecture

Motorola 68K

Compatibility notes

Emulating this? It could probably run under: Mini vMac