GW-BASIC Interpreter

The GW-BASIC Interpreter provides a browser-based environment to write and execute GW-BASIC programs. It targets learners, hobbyists, and educators who want to explore retro BASIC concepts without installing legacy software on their devices. The tool focuses on essential features needed to understand control flow, I/O, and simple data handling. By running in a sandbox, it offers fast feedback and safe experimentation. The underlying engine is designed to be cross-browser and deterministic, relying on a minimal, well-defined subset of GW-BASIC semantics to maximize accessibility and reliability.
The system is organized around a tokenized parser, a small program state with variables and line-numbered blocks, and a straightforward interpreter loop. It supports common commands such as PRINT, INPUT, LET, IF...THEN, GOTO, FOR/NEXT, GOSUB/RETURN, CLS, and END. Outputs are captured in a console-like stream, and errors include line references to help students locate issues quickly. The tool is especially valuable for classrooms and self-learners who need immediate, practical exposure to BASIC concepts, debug patterns, and iteration cycles. It differentiates itself by offering a clean, dependency-free way to experiment with GW-BASIC in modern browsers, avoiding complex installations while preserving core program behavior and learning value.