4K BASIC is a valuable movie running on the world's first personal computer "Altair 8800"

Since computers were very expensive and large, they were cheap enough to be owned by individuals in the mid-1970's, which was only used in some limited places such as laboratories and companies,Altair 8800"Was launched, called explosive popularity, the curtain of the PC (personal computer) era opened. A movie in which the world's first PC · Altair 8800 actually moves is released.

Altair 8800 - Video # 7.1 - Loading 4K BASIC with a Teletype - YouTube


The movie contributor deramp5113 seems to have taken a demonstration movie six months ago, but at that timeTeletype terminalHe said he did not have anything. This time, this teletype terminal "ASR-33We will demonstrate Altair 8800 at.


This machine is Altair 8800. Use the toggle switch on the front to operate. There are only a few indicator lamps for display.


Power ON.


Initialize memory first.


Although the Altair 8800 was 256 bytes in the minimum configuration, the machine that is going to demonstrate this time isBill GatesIn order to run 4K BASIC (Altair BASIC) which is known to be developed, the memory is 4 kilobytes specification. The program to be used is BASIC 3.2.


After confirming that all of the indicator lamps that are pointing checked are off, and it is the initial value, it will be started at last.


While saying "First numbers are 41 and 256" ...


Switch toggle switch with poppy ... ...


Turn on execution switch. Altair 8800's toggle switch is a mechanism that numbers are assigned in binary numbers in the vertical direction and numerical values ​​are entered by switching the toggle switch.


"Next is 1761 ... ..." while switching numbers, I will switch the toggle switch with a good tempo.


It is a speed that I can not keep up with those who are not used to binary notation.


In addition, since the external display is not attached to the Altair 8800, it is impossible to know whether the number entered is correct or not.


Apparently it seems that the input of the numerical value is completed.


Using the input bootstrap loader, load the program from the ASR - 33 paper tape.


After returning the memory address ......


The loading of the program is finally started.


You can also enter ASR - 33 using a typewriter like the keyboard on the right of the screen, but in this demo you enter the program code from the paper tape on the left side of the screen.


Switch ON. The paper tape was sounded and sent out. This is a loader to read the loader.


Altair 8800 to receive data from ASR - 33.


Indicator lamp changed. From this point on, the 2nd loader finally loads the BASIC interpreter.


The paper tape is punched hole like this with such a feeling. Since it takes quite some time, the movie skips the time here.


It seems that typewriter started and BASIC opening message began to be printed.


I will print letters on roll paper with a good tempo. Unlike inkjet printers, the typewriter's sound is quite large, but it seems to be enjoyable just by looking at the state of printing.


Where the typewriter stops, set a new paper tape.


Turn on the power ... ....


Resume output.


When the memory capacity was small and there was no storage, we entered and entered program code with paper tape.


It takes a long time for calculation result to be output to roll paper.


It was in the Altair 8800Intel i8080Even now, a powerless CPU. However, the actual movement of the Altair 8800, the source of the development of today's computers and mobile terminals, is exactly what is meaningful and strangely appealing as it markedly hides the history of computers.