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

A developer has released Thoreau BASIC, a small BASIC interpreter that can boot directly on UEFI firmware, bypassing traditional operating systems. This allows users to run vintage-style BASIC programs natively on modern hardware, a feat rarely achieved given the complexity of UEFI environments. The project aims to recreate a classic programming environment, emphasizing simplicity and direct hardware access, and is intended for hobbyists, educators, and enthusiasts interested in vintage computing.

The developer, who goes by the username ‘showhacker’ on Hacker News, announced the project on the platform, describing Thoreau BASIC as a minimalist interpreter designed to run on UEFI firmware without an underlying OS. According to the developer, the interpreter supports line numbers, immediate mode, simple graphics, strings, and arrays, mimicking the behavior of classic BASIC environments from the 1980s.

Thoreau BASIC is built in C and assembly, with a small footprint that fits into the UEFI firmware space. The developer reports that the interpreter boots directly from the UEFI firmware, initializing hardware components such as display and keyboard, and then runs BASIC programs stored on a USB drive or embedded in firmware. This approach removes the need for an operating system, making it a unique example of firmware-level programming.

While the project remains in early stages, the developer has shared source code and detailed documentation, inviting others to experiment and extend the interpreter. The project has garnered interest from vintage computing communities and UEFI firmware developers, who see it as a proof of concept for running custom code directly on modern hardware without traditional OS layers.

Potential Impact on Vintage Computing and Education

This development matters because it demonstrates that vintage programming environments can be recreated and run directly on modern hardware, bypassing complex operating systems. For hobbyists and educators, Thoreau BASIC offers a platform for learning about low-level hardware interaction, firmware programming, and the fundamentals of computer design. It also opens possibilities for embedded applications, where minimal firmware-based environments are advantageous. The project highlights how legacy software concepts can be adapted to contemporary hardware, fostering innovation in firmware development and retrocomputing.

Background on UEFI and Vintage Programming Projects

UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) replaced traditional BIOS in modern PCs, providing a flexible, extensible platform for firmware initialization before the OS loads. While UEFI supports custom applications, running a full programming environment like BASIC directly on UEFI is uncommon. Historically, vintage computers from the 1980s and 1990s used BASIC as a primary programming language, with interpreters embedded in ROM or loaded from disk. In recent years, hobbyists have explored running vintage OSes and interpreters in emulators or on hardware via specialized firmware. However, executing a BASIC interpreter natively on UEFI firmware is a novel approach, blending old-school programming with modern firmware capabilities.

The developer’s effort builds upon prior work in UEFI applications, low-level firmware programming, and retrocomputing, aiming to preserve the simplicity and immediacy of early personal computing environments. The project also responds to ongoing interest in minimalistic computing platforms and the educational value of understanding hardware at a fundamental level.

“Thoreau BASIC is designed to be a simple, vintage-style programming environment that runs directly on UEFI firmware, without an operating system layer.”

— showhacker

Unresolved Technical Challenges and Limitations

It is not yet clear how broadly compatible Thoreau BASIC is across different UEFI implementations or hardware configurations. The developer reports successful tests on certain systems, but issues such as hardware initialization, graphics support, and input handling may vary. Additionally, the security implications of running custom firmware applications are not yet fully understood, and the project remains in early development stages with limited robustness and feature completeness. Further testing and community feedback will be needed to assess its stability and potential for wider adoption.

Upcoming Development Goals and Community Involvement

The developer plans to refine Thoreau BASIC, improve hardware compatibility, and add features such as file I/O and extended graphics. They also intend to release detailed documentation to facilitate community experimentation and porting efforts. Future milestones include achieving a stable, multi-platform build and exploring integration with other firmware projects. The developer encourages community feedback to identify bugs and suggest enhancements, aiming to turn Thoreau BASIC into a useful tool for education and hobbyist exploration of firmware programming.

Key Questions

Can Thoreau BASIC run on any UEFI-compatible hardware?

It currently works on select systems, but compatibility across all UEFI implementations is not yet confirmed. Further testing is needed.

How does Thoreau BASIC differ from traditional emulators or vintage hardware?

It runs directly on modern hardware’s firmware, bypassing the need for an operating system or emulation, providing a more authentic low-level environment.

Is the project open source and available for experimentation?

Yes, the developer has shared the source code and documentation publicly, inviting community involvement.

What are the potential educational uses of Thoreau BASIC?

It offers a platform to learn about low-level programming, firmware development, and the fundamentals of computer hardware in a vintage programming environment.

What are the main technical challenges remaining?

Ensuring broad hardware compatibility, improving stability, and adding features like file management are ongoing challenges.

Source: hn