Difference between revisions of "Microsoft"
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[[Image:early microsoft logo.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Early Microsoft Logo]] | [[Image:early microsoft logo.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Early Microsoft Logo]] | ||
| − | '''Microsoft''' was founded in 1975 (then Micro-Soft) as a programming language company. Their flagship product was embedded [[ROM]] [[BASIC]]s for various 6502/8080 [[ | + | '''Microsoft''' is a [[software]] company which has long been one of the world's most valuable companies. It was founded in 1975 (then 'Micro-Soft') by [[Bill Gates]] and [[Paul Allen]] as a [[programming language]] company. Their flagship product was embedded [[read-only memory|ROM]] [[BASIC]]s for various [[MOS Technology 6502|6502]]/[[Intel 8080|8080]] [[Central Processing Unit|CPUs]]. The company's first major product was a BASIC [[interpreter]] for the [[Altair 8800]] [[microcomputer]]. They then started to expand into [[compiler|compiled]] BASIC, and some limited games. |
| − | Their big break was with [[IBM]] and the [[IBM PC]]. While they were working on the embedded BASIC for the 8086 | + | Their big break was with [[International Business Machines|IBM]] and the [[IBM PC]]. While they were working on the embedded BASIC for the [[Intel 8086|8086]] CPU, they learned that negotiations with [[DRI]] over [[CP/M]] were breaking down. They then took the lead to tell IBM that they had been working on a CP/M 'like' [[operating system]], and would sell it to IBM very cheaply on the condition that they could also sell MS-DOS to any other [[Original Equipment Manufacturer|OEM]] which might be interested. IBM was still in its monopoly trial, so they figured this would make the platform 'open' and they wouldn't be harassed by any lawsuits over the IBM PC. |
Microsoft famously found [[86-DOS]], bought the rights and had it ported to the IBM PC as [[MS-DOS]]. | Microsoft famously found [[86-DOS]], bought the rights and had it ported to the IBM PC as [[MS-DOS]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | They have since expanded into many other areas, including [[application]]s. | ||
== Products == | == Products == | ||
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=== Languages === | === Languages === | ||
Microsoft's first products were programming languages including: | Microsoft's first products were programming languages including: | ||
| − | * | + | * BASIC |
| − | *Pascal | + | * [[Pascal]] |
| − | * | + | * [[FORTRAN]] |
| − | * | + | * [[COBOL]] |
| − | *C | + | * [[C programming language|C]] |
=== Operating Environments === | === Operating Environments === | ||
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{{semi-stub}} | {{semi-stub}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | == External links == | ||
| + | |||
| + | * [https://web.archive.org/web/20200815021031/http://www.sound-photo.com/microsoft/microsoft.htm Photos from Microsoft's office in 1979] | ||
[[Category: Software Manufacturers]] | [[Category: Software Manufacturers]] | ||
[[Category: PDP-10 Users]] | [[Category: PDP-10 Users]] | ||
Latest revision as of 20:22, 23 July 2025
Microsoft is a software company which has long been one of the world's most valuable companies. It was founded in 1975 (then 'Micro-Soft') by Bill Gates and Paul Allen as a programming language company. Their flagship product was embedded ROM BASICs for various 6502/8080 CPUs. The company's first major product was a BASIC interpreter for the Altair 8800 microcomputer. They then started to expand into compiled BASIC, and some limited games.
Their big break was with IBM and the IBM PC. While they were working on the embedded BASIC for the 8086 CPU, they learned that negotiations with DRI over CP/M were breaking down. They then took the lead to tell IBM that they had been working on a CP/M 'like' operating system, and would sell it to IBM very cheaply on the condition that they could also sell MS-DOS to any other OEM which might be interested. IBM was still in its monopoly trial, so they figured this would make the platform 'open' and they wouldn't be harassed by any lawsuits over the IBM PC.
Microsoft famously found 86-DOS, bought the rights and had it ported to the IBM PC as MS-DOS.
They have since expanded into many other areas, including applications.
Products
Languages
Microsoft's first products were programming languages including:
Operating Environments
The most famous of all would be Microsoft Windows.
