Show HN: I Wrote A BASIC Interpreter That Boots On UEFI Machines

A developer has released Thoreau BASIC, a minimalist BASIC interpreter that can boot directly on UEFI firmware. This development enables running vintage-style BASIC programs on modern hardware without requiring an operating system, marking a notable technical achievement in low-level programming and firmware customization. The project has garnered attention on Show HN and highlights innovative uses of UEFI for custom environments.

The developer, who goes by the username ‘johndoe’, shared Thoreau BASIC on Hacker News, describing it as a small, old-fashioned BASIC interpreter with features like line numbers, immediate mode, simple graphics, strings, and arrays. The key achievement is that the interpreter is capable of booting directly from UEFI firmware, without relying on a traditional OS or bootloader. This was accomplished by writing low-level code that interacts directly with UEFI firmware interfaces, enabling the interpreter to load and execute BASIC programs immediately after boot.

According to the developer, the project was motivated by a desire to create a lightweight, vintage programming environment that could run on modern hardware with minimal dependencies. The implementation is written in C and assembly, and the code is publicly available for others to examine and build upon. The project demonstrates that UEFI firmware, which replaced BIOS in most modern PCs, can serve as a platform for custom, minimal operating environments, opening doors for hobbyists and developers interested in firmware-level programming.

Implications of UEFI-Level Programming

This development is significant because it demonstrates that modern firmware interfaces like UEFI can be used as a platform for custom programming environments, bypassing the need for a full operating system. It showcases the potential for creating lightweight, embedded systems or hobbyist projects that run directly from firmware, which could influence future firmware customization and embedded development. For enthusiasts, it offers a new way to experiment with vintage programming languages and environments on contemporary hardware, fostering innovation in low-level system programming.

Background on UEFI and Vintage Programming Environments

UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) replaced BIOS as the standard firmware interface in most modern PCs, providing a more flexible and programmable environment at the firmware level. Traditionally, BASIC interpreters and other vintage programming environments required an operating system like MS-DOS or Windows to run. However, recent developments have shown that UEFI itself can host custom applications, often called UEFI applications or drivers, which can run before the OS loads.

Prior to this project, hobbyists and developers have experimented with UEFI shells and minimal bootloaders, but creating a fully functional BASIC interpreter that boots directly from UEFI is a novel achievement. The developer’s approach builds on this trend, leveraging UEFI’s capabilities to execute custom code at firmware level, thus enabling vintage-style programming environments without the overhead of a full OS or traditional bootloader chain.

“I wanted to see if I could create a small, self-contained BASIC environment that boots directly from firmware, bypassing the need for an operating system.”

— johndoe, the developer

Technical Limitations and Compatibility Questions

It is not yet clear how broadly compatible Thoreau BASIC is across different hardware platforms or UEFI implementations. The developer has tested it on select systems, but compatibility with newer or less common firmware versions remains unverified. Additionally, performance metrics, stability over extended use, and support for more advanced BASIC features are still being evaluated. The project is in early stages, and further testing is needed to assess its practical usability on diverse hardware setups.

Future Development and Community Involvement

The developer plans to continue refining Thoreau BASIC, adding features like improved graphics and extended language capabilities. They also intend to document the project thoroughly to encourage community experimentation and adaptation. Future milestones include broader hardware testing, potential integration with other firmware projects, and possibly creating a toolkit for hobbyists to develop their own UEFI-based environments. The project’s open-source nature invites contributions from the community to expand its functionality and compatibility.

Key Questions

How does Thoreau BASIC boot without an operating system?

It leverages UEFI firmware’s ability to run custom applications directly from firmware, bypassing the need for a traditional OS or bootloader.

What hardware is needed to run Thoreau BASIC?

Any UEFI-compatible PC or motherboard that supports booting from custom UEFI applications should work, but compatibility may vary. Testing on multiple systems is ongoing.

Can Thoreau BASIC run modern programs or only vintage code?

It is designed to emulate vintage BASIC environments with features like line numbers and simple graphics, but it can potentially run any BASIC code compatible with its interpreter capabilities.

Is the project open source?

Yes, the code is publicly available, and the developer encourages community participation and further development.

What are the practical uses of this project?

Primarily educational and experimental, it demonstrates firmware-level programming and offers a platform for hobbyists interested in vintage computing and low-level firmware development.

Source: hn