# Ode to BASIC

November 19, 2024 · future-of-software, open-source, coding-practice, archiving

Canonical: https://www.romellogoodman.com/writing/ode-to-basic
Originally published: https://mellogood.substack.com/p/ode-to-basic

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In response to the death of [Thomas E. Kurtz](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/16/technology/thomas-kurtz-dead.html), creator of BASIC.

You lived the dream.

You created technology that brought more people into the fold. Took a step up the ladder of abstraction and made computing less technical. Unlocking a new way of thinking for an entire generation.

One day I hope to do the same. I hope to create a system that outlives me. Humming along on a server long after I've gone silent.

-mello

**P.S.**

BASIC stands for Beginner's All-Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code.