GoKawiilNew GW-BASIC-compatible interpreter runs directly on UEFI firmware
A developer released Thoreau BASIC, an interpreter compatible with GW-BASIC that can boot directly on bare-metal UEFI machines, with a Windows version also available. It supports classic BASIC constructs like DEF FN, GOSUB, error trapping, and graphics commands such as PSET, LINE, CIRCLE, and PAINT, working at native framebuffer resolution with 16-color EGA or 24-bit RGB.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Running a BASIC interpreter straight from firmware without an OS harkens back to early personal computing, where BASIC often served as the first layer above hardware. This project shows how modern UEFI systems, despite their complexity, can still support minimalist, self-contained computing environments reminiscent of that era, appealing to retrocomputing enthusiasts and educators.
- Thoreau BASIC boots directly from UEFI firmware without needing an OS.
- It maintains compatibility with GW-BASIC syntax, including numeric types and control flow.
- Graphics and text features support native resolutions, EGA palettes, and 24-bit color.
SanDisk Ultra Fit USB 3.2 Flash Drive — To actually boot Thoreau BASIC on bare metal you need a USB stick to hold the UEFI image, and this tiny SanDisk drive is perfect for leaving plugged into a test machine. It's compact enough to live in a laptop port permanently, so your bootable BASIC playground is always one restart away.
See SanDisk Ultra Fit USB 3.2 Flash Drive on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: tarjan.itch.io, 2026-08-23
Published there as: “Show HN: I wrote a BASIC interpreter that boots on UEFI machines”
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