Thoreau BASIC is a modern, GW-BASIC-inspired programming environment that aims to preserve line-numbered BASIC while adding capabilities for current x64 PCs. Its creator describes version 3.2 as running both as a Windows x64 program and directly from x64 UEFI firmware. That makes it more than a nostalgia project—but “runs old GW-BASIC programs” is a compatibility goal, not a promise that every legacy program will work unchanged.
What is Thoreau BASIC?
Thoreau BASIC is a contemporary BASIC project built around the familiar style of GW-BASIC: programs can use numbered lines and other conventions associated with early personal-computer BASIC. It is not the original Microsoft GW-BASIC interpreter. Hackaday introduced the project as an attempt to run older GW-BASIC code with little modification, while the project’s own site presents it as an evolving language and runtime.
The pitch is captured by two questions associated with the project: what if BASIC never went out of fashion, and what if it kept evolving? In practical terms, Thoreau BASIC pairs a recognizable programming style with modern runtime features and unusual deployment options.
Where can Thoreau BASIC run?
The project identifies version 3.2 for Windows x64 and UEFI x64. These are distinct ways to run the same BASIC language:
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- Inside Windows: Run it as a Windows program on a supported x64 system.
- From UEFI firmware: Run it directly in an x64 UEFI environment, rather than launching it as an application inside Windows.
The project says programs can also be packaged as Windows EXE files or bootable EFI applications. Those options may suit someone experimenting with standalone programs or a firmware-level BASIC environment; they do not mean that a Windows EXE and an EFI application are interchangeable.
What does it add beyond GW-BASIC-style programming?
Thoreau BASIC’s documentation describes capabilities spanning graphics, sound, networking, development tools, and execution. These are project-stated features, not results from independent compatibility testing.
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| Area | Capabilities described by the project |
|---|---|
| Memory and graphics | 64-bit memory, 24-bit graphics, and sprites |
| Input | Mouse input |
| Networking | TCP/IP and HTTP |
| Audio | A General MIDI/GS wavetable, plus MIDI, WAV, FLAC, and Opus playback |
| Development | Debugging, profiling, and source tools |
| Execution | Native x64 just-in-time (JIT) compilation and multicore PARFOR |
The contrast is the point: line-numbered BASIC habits sit alongside features associated with newer runtimes. The documentation’s feature list alone does not establish how any specific program performs, which devices it supports, or whether a particular GW-BASIC extension is compatible.
Will old GW-BASIC programs work?
Thoreau BASIC is intended to run old GW-BASIC code with little change, but that should be treated as an aim rather than a universal guarantee. A program’s behavior can depend on details beyond its BASIC syntax, including machine-specific graphics or sound behavior, hardware assumptions, and extensions.
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If you have a particular program in mind, check the current Thoreau BASIC documentation for the statements and features it uses, then test it on the intended system. Questions raised by readers—such as support for old Tandy video modes, multiple-voice beepers, or PROC—are questions, not confirmation that those features are supported or absent.
What is version 3.2, and where is it available?
Version 3.2 is the version shown on the Thoreau BASIC project page and itch.io listing at the time those pages were reviewed. The itch.io listing describes the download as name-your-own-price and labels the project “In development,” so version details and distribution terms may change.
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The 3.2 release description on itch.io lists file and directory arrays, selector boxes, longer case-preserving paths, recovery and verified-copy commands, text statistics, and support diagnostics. Treat these as features described for that release, not as a guarantee that the same release notes or distribution details will remain current.
For downloads and documentation, start with the official Thoreau BASIC page and its linked materials. The project’s itch.io listing provides another route to the version 3.2 files and describes the current distribution model.
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How should you evaluate it against other BASIC revivals?
There is no complete, current side-by-side comparison established here with projects such as MoonBASIC or BASIC-256. For a useful comparison, focus on the features that affect your own use rather than assuming all BASIC revivals target the same audience:
- Language and compatibility: Does it use the syntax you want, and does it support the statements your existing programs rely on?
- Where it runs: Is it limited to an operating system, or does it also offer a firmware or bootable environment?
- Hardware-facing capabilities: Compare graphics, sound, input, and networking against the needs of your projects.
- How programs are delivered: Check for interpreter, JIT, compiler, or standalone-binary options.
- Access and licensing: Verify the current price model, openness, and terms rather than inferring them from a download page.
- Documentation and support: Look for current manuals, release information, and a way to resolve compatibility questions.
The sources describe Thoreau BASIC as not open source, and its itch.io listing uses a name-your-own-price model. Check the linked pages for current terms before deciding whether those fit your needs.
Who is Thoreau BASIC for?
It is an especially relevant project for people curious about line-numbered BASIC, developers exploring legacy GW-BASIC-style code, and hobbyists interested in running a BASIC environment from x64 UEFI. Its combination of familiar syntax and modern-runtime features is unusual, but the best fit depends on the exact program and hardware you need to support.
For a new project, first decide whether the GW-BASIC feel is itself part of the goal. For an old program, start with the current manual and a test run; the project’s compatibility intent is useful context, not a substitute for checking the program’s actual dependencies.
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