Windows + bare UEFI
Run as a native Windows x64 application or boot straight into BASIC on x64 UEFI hardware.
THOREAU BASIC 2.1 · WINDOWS x64 · UEFI x64
Thoreau BASIC
A free 64-bit BASIC interpreter for Windows x64 and bootable x64 UEFI. Write GW-BASIC-style line-numbered programs, run them on Windows or directly from firmware without an operating system, package them as standalone EXE/EFI applications, and use international keyboard layouts on bare-metal UEFI.
V2.1 adds KEYB, bare-metal international keyboard support and SYSTEM.
V2.1
Bare-metal BASIC now speaks your keyboard.
The UEFI build supports 23 DOS-style keyboard layouts. Put KEYB GR,
KEYB UK, KEYB FR or another supported code in
THOREAU.CFG, or switch layouts live with the KEYB command. On
supported real hardware Thoreau can read USB HID keys directly, bypassing
firmware layout quirks; otherwise it falls back to firmware/US input.
V2.1 also adds SYSTEM: return from the UEFI interpreter to firmware
so the next boot option can continue, or simply exit Thoreau BASIC on Windows.
Also new in 2.1: RUN can start at a line number or load and run a
program file, AUTO preserves existing lines when you press Enter,
and LOADBMP/BITBLT now have 65,536 bitmap slots (0..65535).
KEYB GR
switch layout
SYSTEM
leave BASIC cleanly
WHAT IT IS
Old-school BASIC. Modern machine.
GW-BASIC-shaped on the surface, but built for 64-bit systems, real framebuffers and bare firmware.
Standalone apps
CREATEEXE and CREATEEFI turn the loaded BASIC program into a self-contained application.
64-bit BASIC
64-bit integers, 64-bit addresses, wide PEEK/POKE operations and a large modern memory arena.
24-bit GW-BASIC graphics
Classic PSET, LINE, CIRCLE, PAINT, COLOR, GET/PUT and DRAW run on a 24-bit framebuffer with direct RGB colors, plus LOADBMP and BITBLT.
Machine Explorer
Inspect memory, disks, sectors, partitions, filesystems, boot entries and machine landmarks from inside BASIC.
International UEFI keyboards
KEYB and THOREAU.CFG select from 23 layouts. On supported bare metal, raw USB HID input avoids firmware key-mapping problems.
Clean SYSTEM exit
SYSTEM returns a UEFI build to firmware so boot can continue, while the Windows build simply exits.
Still direct. Still simple.
Line numbers, LIST, RUN, GOTO, GOSUB and immediate mode remain the center of the experience.
THE PROOF
Pixel Prose
A complete Thoreau BASIC game released three ways: editable BASIC source, a Windows executable, and an EFI application that can boot directly into the game. The Pixel Prose .BAS source is included with the Thoreau BASIC example programs.
.ZIP
Windows
Pixel Prose for Windows, including the required BMP asset directory.
Download PixelProse-Windows.zip → .ZIPUEFI
Bootable Pixel Prose package with the EFI application and required BMP assets.
Download PixelProse-UEFI.zip →
UEFI BOOT
\EFI\BOOT\BOOTX64.EFI
The UEFI ZIP contains the EFI application and its assets. Put the EFI application at this path on a suitable x64 UEFI boot volume and the firmware launches the game directly.
DOWNLOADS
Thoreau BASIC 2.1
Pick your floor. Windows, or the firmware beneath it.
WINDOWS x64
Download ZIP
Thoreau BASIC 2.1
Windows build with CREATEEXE, COMMANDLINEARG$, SYSTEM, documentation and included .BAS examples.
UEFI x64 · READY-TO-BOOT VHD
Download VHD
Thoreau BASIC 2.1
Ready-to-boot VHD with CREATEEFI, STARTUP.BAS, KEYB/SYSTEM, international keyboard support and included .BAS examples.
UEFI x64 · ZIP PACKAGE
Download ZIP
Thoreau BASIC 2.1
UEFI build with CREATEEFI, STARTUP.BAS, KEYB/SYSTEM, international keyboard support, documentation and all included .BAS examples.
PLAIN TEXT
Open manual
Documentation
Overview, quick start, complete command reference, examples and Thoreau extensions.
CONTACT / SUPPORT
Thoreau BASIC is free to use.
Questions, bug reports, compatibility notes or feedback? Get in touch.
If you want to support development, you can make a voluntary PayPal contribution.
QUICK START
Hello, machine.
10 CLS
20 PRINT "HELLO FROM THOREAU BASIC"
30 FOR I=1 TO 5
40 PRINT I
50 NEXT I
60 END
RUN“I make myself rich by making my wants few.”Henry David Thoreau