Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago

---

The legendary Commodore 64 one-line maze program:

10 PRINT CHR$(205.5+RND(1)); : GOTO 10

inspired generations of programmers, artists, and retro computing fans. In this video I recreate the idea on the original IBM 5150 using PC Cassette BASIC and explore several IBM PC-specific variations using ASCII and extended IBM graphics characters.

Starting with the classic slash maze, I experiment with IBM box drawing characters, text modes, CGA quirks, and increasingly optimized one-line versions before arriving at a surprisingly fast MID$()-based maze generator running entirely in ROM BASIC on a real IBM 5150.

Along the way I discuss:

IBM PC text mode vs graphics mode
Extended ASCII box drawing characters
Why SCREEN 1 breaks the graphics characters
Performance tricks in interpreted BASIC
Emergent graphics and generative art on early computers

Inspired by:
10 PRINT book:
10print.org

8 Bit Show and Tell:
youtube.com/c/8BitShowAndTell

The 8-Bit Guy:
youtube.com/@The8BitGuy

Running on real IBM 5150 hardware using PC Cassette BASIC.

#IBM5150 #RetroComputing #BASICProgramming #PCBasic #VintageComputers #IBMPC #GenerativeArt #10PRINT #CGA #RetroTech