Bill Gates Celebrates Microsoft’s 50th By Releasing Altair BASIC Source Code
In celebration of Microsoft’s 50th anniversary, Bill Gates has released the original Altair BASIC source code, co-written with Paul Allen. He describes it as the “coolest code” he has ever written, reflecting on the humble beginnings of the company. Gates recalls the passion and vision that drove him and Allen to create Microsoft, with a goal of having a computer on every desk. He describes the anniversary as “bittersweet” while reminiscing about their early days coding on the PDP-10 at Harvard.
Key Points
- Bill Gates released the Altair BASIC source code to mark Microsoft’s 50th anniversary.
- The code symbolises the beginning of Microsoft and reflects Gates’ vision of personal computing.
- Gates described the anniversary as bittersweet, emphasising the passage of time since the company’s inception.
- The release highlights the enduring impact of Microsoft’s early innovations on the technology landscape.
- Microsoft continues to push boundaries in technology, maintaining the same passion since its founding.
Why should I read this?
This article is significant as it commemorates a pivotal moment in computing history and underscores the journey of one of the industry’s foremost pioneers. By releasing the original source code, Gates not only pays homage to the past but also invites reflection on the transformative power of technology, which continues to evolve and shape our lives today.
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