Bill Gates Releases Source Code of Altair Basic on Microsoft's 50th Anniversary

In a moment commemorating the 50th anniversary of Microsoft, Bill Gates has publicly released the source code for Altair Basic, the software that helped launch the tech giant. This significant milestone marks the origins of Microsoft, which initially operated under the name Micro-Soft.

The source code, now available in a comprehensive 157-page PDF, includes not only the programming details but also Gates' reflections on its development. He collaborated with Monte Davidoff to write this code on an 8080 emulator that was developed by Paul Allen. The software was first delivered in the summer of 1975, representing a pivotal moment when Gates and Allen earned their first revenue from the company.

Gates recalls that upon learning about the Altair 8800 in January 1975, he recognized the impending PC revolution and felt compelled to contribute. He believed that creating software could transform how people interacted with computers. Within a matter of weeks, Gates and Allen wrote Altair Basic, finalizing the last lines of code while traveling to the manufacturer. At that time, they were unsure if the software would function correctly, yet the initial presentation turned out to be a success as MITS licensed the software. By June 1975, devices equipped with their program were shipped.

One of the significant challenges faced during the code's development was the limitation of memory. Since additional memory could often exceed the cost of the computer itself, they aimed to fit their code within the initial four kilobytes allocated. Gates implemented various optimization techniques to maximize memory efficiency, describing the process as an enjoyable challenge. Despite the time constraints they faced--having assured MITS that the software was complete--Gates continues to find the outcome remarkable. He notes that the innovations stemming from that early work ultimately led to the development of major products such as Office, Windows 95, Xbox, and advancements in artificial intelligence.