I'm writing a history of Visual Basic, Chapter 1 is up
This project chronicles a detailed, human-centric history of Visual Basic, moving beyond the usual narratives of Microsoft founders or mere technical specifications. It appeals to deep nostalgia for classic programming tools and offers a fresh perspective on a foundational development environment. The author aims to highlight lesser-known contributors and the 'why' behind pivotal development decisions, a focus that resonates strongly with HN's appreciation for in-depth and original historical analysis.
The Lowdown
EvilGeniusLabs embarks on an ambitious, multi-chapter history of Visual Basic, starting with Chapter 1: 'Origins (1964–1992)'. The author's goal is to offer a perspective distinct from existing accounts, which tend to focus either on Microsoft's executive leadership or the technical aspects of the language. Instead, this series prioritizes the lineage and the people—especially the unsung heroes—who shaped VB, aiming to uncover the motivations behind Microsoft's development choices and the evolution of the language.
Key points from Chapter 1 include:
- Tracing the birth of BASIC from Dartmouth in 1964, through its commercial use on minicomputers, leading up to Microsoft's involvement.
- Documenting Microsoft's extensive BASIC dynasty from Altair to QBasic, explaining why 'BASIC' was a non-negotiable brand element for Visual Basic.
- Highlighting Alan Cooper's critical role in developing the drag-and-drop Windows shell, 'Tripod', which became the foundational form designer for VB.
- Detailing 'Project Thunder', the internal Microsoft codename, and the team (Scott Ferguson, Adam Rauch, Chris Fraley, Brian Lewis) responsible for merging Cooper's tool with an embeddable BASIC interpreter.
- Examining Microsoft's pre-launch marketing, including Bill Gates's seminal BYTE Magazine piece that laid the groundwork for VB's reception.
- Explaining the simultaneous but distinct development paths of VB/Windows and the short-lived VB/DOS, clarifying common historical misconceptions.
Looking ahead, the author intends to cover version-by-version details and compile a directory of 'Notable Characters' who contributed to VB's development. This project is driven by a personal connection to VB's early impact on the author's own programming journey, emphasizing the homework needed to properly document its rich history.
The Gossip
AI Art Apprehension
A significant portion of the comments critically dissect the AI-generated banner image used for the project. Users point out glaring errors such as misspellings ('Darmouth' instead of 'Dartmouth', garbled 'Microsoft' on book spines) and an unrepresentative Visual Basic screenshot on a CRT monitor. The consensus is that such poor-quality AI-generated visuals detract from the project's credibility and overall aesthetic, arguing that having no image would be preferable to a flawed one.
Historical Hopes & Queries
Commenters express enthusiasm for the in-depth historical exploration and suggest related topics or ask for broader contextualization within the history of programming. There's particular interest in understanding how other competing or contemporary products, such as MacBasic and RealBasic, fit into the larger narrative of Visual Basic's development and impact.
Praise for the Project
Many commenters offer direct positive feedback and encouragement for the author. They express excitement for the series and look forward to reading subsequent chapters, appreciating the initiative to document such a significant piece of programming history.