EndBASIC Without BASIC: A Language for Developers Tired of the Zoo

Remember when writing a program didn't require installing 47 packages, setting up CI, and writing a Dockerfile? A single BASIC interpreter on a cassette was enough. Julio Merino, the creator of EndBASIC, asked himself: what if we remove BASIC from EndBASIC? And he got something that looks like a minimalist scripting language for those tired of the modern zoo.

The new language, which he simply called "EndBASIC without BASIC," is more like a hybrid of Python and JavaScript, but without their quirks. Instead of let and print — concise constructs that don't make you check the docs every five minutes. "It's like IKEA selling a chair without instructions, but it still assembles on the first try," jokes Merino.

Of course, pain was inevitable. Developers used to classic BASIC might panic: where's GOTO? Where are line numbers? Ah, they've been replaced with proper functions and data structures. "We removed GOTO because it's 2024, not 1984," explains the author. Another reminder that not all legacy features should be dragged into the future.

Practical takeaway for developers: if you write scripts for automation or prototype ideas, this language could be a great alternative to bash or Python one-liners. It's lightweight, doesn't require installing tons of dependencies, and runs directly in the browser. Perfect for those who want to "just ship it" without getting distracted by yak shaving.

METABYTE studio comment: If you're also tired of endless tool choices and just want to write code, let us know — we'll help you pick a stack that won't blow up on the first deploy. Or at least have a laugh together over another GOTO.