Simons' BASIC is not widely recognized as an established programming language, software product, or technical standard in the available encyclopedic and scholarly sources. Consequently, detailed, verifiable information about its origin, specifications, or usage is lacking.
Possible Interpretation
The term may be a possessive form referring to a version or dialect of the BASIC (Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) programming language associated with an individual named Simon (or Simons). In computing history, several hobbyists and developers have created custom extensions or dialects of BASIC, sometimes naming them after themselves (e.g., “Peter’s BASIC”). It is plausible that “Simons' BASIC” could denote such a personal or niche variant.
Contextual Usage
- Historical computing hobbyist circles: Individuals occasionally distributed small, informal BASIC interpreters or extensions on magazines, bulletin board systems, or personal disks, often with limited documentation.
- Educational settings: A teacher or instructor named Simon might have authored a simplified BASIC curriculum or teaching tool, informally referred to as “Simons' BASIC.”
- Proprietary or internal tools: Companies or research labs sometimes develop private BASIC-like languages for internal use, which may be referenced only within that organization.
Etymology
The name combines the surname “Simon” (or the plural “Simons”) with the term “BASIC,” indicating a variant or derivative of the BASIC programming language. The apostrophe suggests possession, implying that the language or dialect belongs to or was created by Simon.
Conclusion
Due to the absence of corroborating encyclopedic entries, academic publications, or reputable documentation, no definitive description of Simons' BASIC can be provided. The term appears to lack broad recognition in the fields of computer science and programming language history.