Microsoft BASIC is a programming language developed by Microsoft in the mid-1970s. It was designed to be easy to learn and use, making it accessible for beginners and hobbyists. The language became popular on early personal computers, including the Altair 8800 and Apple II, allowing users to write simple programs and automate tasks. Over the years, Microsoft BASIC evolved into various versions, including GW-BASIC and QBasic. It played a significant role in the early days of personal computing, helping to introduce many people to programming concepts. Although less common today, its influence can still be seen in modern programming languages.