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VisiCalc ("visible calculator") is the first spreadsheet computer program for personal computers, originally released for the Apple II by VisiCorp on October 17, 1979. It is considered the killer application for the Apple II, turning the microcomputer from a hobby for computer enthusiasts into a serious business tool, and then prompting IBM to introduce the IBM PC two years later. More than 700,000 copies were sold in six years, and up to 1 million copies over its history.

Key facts

Software.caption
VisiCalc spreadsheet on an Apple II
Software.name
VisiCalc
Software.logo
Visicalc logo.svg
Software.logo_size
x64px
Software.screenshot
Visicalc.png
Software.developer
Software Arts, published by VisiCorp
Software.latest release version
VisiCalc Advanced Version
Software.operating system
Apple II, Apple SOS, Atari 8-bit, CP/M, PET, HP Series 80, MS-DOS, Sony SMC-70, TRSDOS
Software.genre
Spreadsheet
Software.license
Commercial proprietary software

via Wikipedia infobox

Internet Archive

texts

Analyzing real estate decisions using VisiCalc

Read online at Internet Archive →

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Wikidata facts

Image
Visicalc.png
Show 4 more facts
inception
1978-00-00
publication date
1979-05-00
Commons category
VisiCalc
Sources (3)

via Wikidata · CC0

~14 min read

Article

12 sections
Contents
  • History
  • Killer app
  • Decline
  • Releases
  • VisiCalc
  • VisiCalc Advanced
  • Reception
  • Legacy
  • See also
  • References
  • Further reading
  • External links

VisiCalc ("visible calculator") is the first spreadsheet computer program for personal computers, originally released for the Apple II by VisiCorp on October 17, 1979. It is considered the killer application for the Apple II, turning the microcomputer from a hobby for computer enthusiasts into a serious business tool, and then prompting IBM to introduce the IBM PC two years later. More than 700,000 copies were sold in six years, and up to 1 million copies over its history.

Initially developed for the Apple II computer using a 6502 assembler running on the Multics time-sharing system, VisiCalc was ported to numerous platforms, both 8-bit and some of the early 16-bit systems. To do this, the company developed porting platforms that produced bug compatible versions. The company took the same approach when the IBM PC was launched, producing a product that was essentially identical to the original 8-bit Apple II version. Sales were initially brisk, with about 300,000 copies sold.

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