Bill Gates’ 48-year-old Microsoft 6502 BASIC goes open source

Microsoft has made Bill Gates' 48-year-old 'BASIC for 6502 Microprocessor - Version 1.1' code open source on Github under the MIT license. This release is significant as derivatives of this BASIC were used in iconic computers like the Commodore 64. The code, originally written for the Altair 8800 in 1975, was ported to the MOS 6502 Microprocessor in 1976. The release includes 6,955 lines of assembly language code and supports systems like Apple II and Commodore PET. This move follows Microsoft's earlier release of GW-BASIC and is seen as historically significant in the personal computer era.