BASIC ruled the '80s. Here's why Python quietly became the new gateway to coding

In the '80s, BASIC ruled as the entry point to programming, but Python has quietly become the new doorway for learners. The article notes that BASIC was embedded in many home computers of the era, like the Apple II, TRS-80, Atari 8-bit, and Commodore 64, making it a natural starting language for hobbyists who needed to write or experiment themselves. While professional programmers frowned on goto statements, many early enthusiasts found the language approachable. Today, Python has replicated that ease of entry: preinstalled in many Linux distros, easy to install on Windows and macOS, and supported by interactive modes such as IDLE, IPython, and Jupyter.