FreeBASIC is an active open-source compiler that supports BASIC programming on modern operating systems, including Windows, DOS, and Linux. It provides a bridge for legacy programs by emulating earlier BASIC environments, notably GW-BASIC, facilitating the execution of outdated software. Comparatively similar to Microsoft’s QuickBASIC, it serves as a valuable tool for both hobbyists revisiting classic BASIC programming and developers looking to create new applications in a simplified programming language. Other alternatives and variations of BASIC languages can also be explored, broadening options for programmers interested in this classic language.