Steve Wozniak's Journey in Building Computers and Coding BASIC

Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Inc., is renowned for his pivotal role in the development of personal computers. His journey in building computers and coding, driven by a passion for engineering and computing, began in his formative years and continued through his university experiences and early projects.

Education and Early Exposure

Wozniak's education and early exposure to electronics laid the foundation for his future success. He attended the University of California Berkeley, where he studied electrical engineering and computer science. However, he did not graduate from Berkeley, instead transferring to the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) for a brief period. His father, an engineer, and various electronics projects during high school provided him with practical experience and exposure to electronics. He honed his skills through designing and building computers as a hobby, particularly with the Apple I and Apple II.

First Experiences with BASIC

In high school, Wozniak first experienced BASIC in 1967 or 1968. While unable to program a computer at school due to the lack of a machine, he was able to program an IBM computer at a local company, Sylvania, under the guidance of his electronics teacher Mr. McCollum. This experience sparked an interest in programming that would continue throughout his career. In college, he used languages such as FORTRAN, PL-1, Algol, and various assembly languages, but it was his hands-on experience that truly shaped his understanding of computer design.

Developing a Custom BASIC for Apple Computers

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of BASIC, Steve Wozniak recounted his experiences with this popular language, particularly his efforts to create his own BASIC for the Apple I and Apple II computers. His innovative approach and hands-on experience were essential in developing early personal computers that revolutionized the tech industry.

Wozniak learned about BASIC through a brief exposure in high school. He picked up a BASIC manual and started reading it to understand the language, even though he had never taken a course on compiler or interpreter writing. Leveraging his knowledge from math analysis classes, he started writing code for his 6502 microprocessor to analyze and error-check user input.

Without direct knowledge of compiler writing, Wozniak created his own techniques, such as using NOUN and VERB stacks, operands, and operators. He understood the importance of syntax charts and utilized stacks to convert expressions into Reverse Polish Notation (RPN) for efficient processing. His custom BASIC language was crucial in enabling the easy programming and manipulation of games, such as Breakout, which could now be written in software rather than hardware.

The Impact of Custom BASIC on Home Computers

Wozniak's custom BASIC ran on the original Apple II and enabled users to easily change parameters and variations of the game, such as brick colors and ball speeds. This software approach not only sped up development but also made it accessible to people of all ages. The ability to easily manipulate and create games in BASIC was a significant factor in the success of the Apple II, as it democratized programming and made computer technology more accessible.

Steve Wozniak's custom BASIC, developed through personal passion and self-taught skills, played a crucial role in the evolution of personal computing. It highlighted the importance of hands-on experience and innovative thinking in the development of technology.