# Hand BASIC - CBM Flavor — user reviews > 103 indexed App Store user reviews of Hand BASIC by Ahmad Hawwash, rated 4.40/5 from 45 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hand-basic-cbm-flavor/id394924289/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hand-basic-cbm-flavor/id394924289.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 33 · 4★ 5 · 3★ 3 · 2★ 1 · 1★ 3 ## What do users think of Hand BASIC? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 👍 Faithful C64 BASIC implementation - 🎮 Nostalgic and fun retro experience - 📚 Comprehensive documentation and help resources - ⚡ Fast execution compared to original hardware - 💾 Save and load functionality works reliably - 🎓 Great for learning programming basics - 🆓 Free app with optional paid graphics extension - 📱 Works well on iPhone and iPad - ✏️ Line editing similar to original BASIC - 🎨 Graphics extension adds creative possibilities **Cons** - 🐛 Infinite loops cause app to hang with no break mechanism - ⌨️ On-screen keyboard difficult to use on iPad - 📋 No copy/paste functionality in older versions - 🔧 Missing PEEK and POKE commands - ❌ Cannot delete unwanted programs - 📖 Help/FAQ pages no longer available online - 🎮 Graphics mode disappears quickly (SCREEN 1 issue) - 🔤 Blue cursor invisible on blue background - 💰 Graphics extension requires paid upgrade - ⚙️ Doesn't support abbreviated commands - 🚫 No Run/Stop button to interrupt execution - 📁 File access requires exact quotation marks and case sensitivity - 🖥️ Limited support for advanced BASIC features **Commonly reported bugs** - Infinite loops freeze the app with no way to stop execution - Graphics mode (SCREEN 1) pops up briefly then disappears - On-screen keyboard functions dance around screen on iPad with external keyboard - Low Power Mode cuts program speed in half on iPhone - Program runs original version instead of edited version - Syntax errors on valid BASIC commands - Copy/paste of programs doesn't work properly - Line editing requires retyping entire lines for corrections - Help and FAQ pages no longer accessible - Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions - Graphics extension removed in updates, requiring repurchase **Most requested features** - Run/Stop button to break out of infinite loops - Bluetooth keyboard support - Changeable font options - Copy/paste functionality - PEEK and POKE command support - Ability to delete programs - Print AT function for neater output - INPUT command support - Web service integration - Files app integration - PC version of the app - Compiler for standalone app creation - Import/export .BAS files - Full C64 character set support - Cursor color customization - Function keys and CTRL support ## Newest reviews (15 of 103) ### 4/5 — Loads of BASIC fun *2025-03-26, version 1.7.6* While this app does what it says and allows for a lot of fun being creative with old-school BASIC, when used on an iPAD with a Logitech keyboard attached, I don’t know what it’s called but the on-screen functions for different keyboard operations danced around on screen making the experience super annoying. Can this be fixed? ### 3/5 — Won't delete *2023-10-09, version 1.7.5* Look, it's great and all, but it WON'T delete unwanted programs. That's the issue here. ### 4/5 — iOS 13.4.1 problem with this app *2020-12-20, version 1.7.5* Solved It was because my iPhone was on Low Power Mode ! The iOS 13.4.1 cut the speed of my basic program in half on my iPhone 11 Pro... But iPados 13.4.1 is ok on my iPad Pro 2020. I’m I alone with this bug ? ### 4/5 — Good app *2019-09-25* Even though it was released in 2010, it is still a good app and is fun to program on. ### 5/5 — Has the WAIT 6502,1 Easter Egg *2019-06-16, version 1.7.3* Commodore licensed BASIC from Microsoft, who left behind a little reminder ### 5/5 — Love it *2019-05-26, version 1.7.3* I want to thank the developers for making this app. It’s so accurate to c64 basic, and it’s easy to use. ### 5/5 — Dear GOD this is fun!!! *2019-04-14, version 1.7.3* Not a complete and true emulator, but SO close (as close as Herr Apple will let us get, for certain). ### 4/5 — Pretty cool *2018-12-11, version 1.7.3* More of a “because I can” app than anything else. With no POKE/PEEK any work exporting to real hardware would be wasteful. In addition, to the 64 NOT understanding the advanced graphic commands Also, since NOT an emulator, does not support abbreviated commands (but does support long string errors). Overall fun to mess with when getting into BASIC conversations and want to “show off” some basic BASIC. This is a preliminary review. I’ll update further as I use it and if my opinion/understanding of it changes. ### 5/5 — Really good C64 BASIC Interpreter *2018-08-12, version 1.7.3* Whilst there is still no C64 emulator on iOS, this is a really good C64 BASIC interpreter with most of the BASIC commands in place. It’d be great if it’s development was continued. ### 4/5 — Great program *2018-04-05, version 1.7.3* Would leave to have a print at function. This would make programs neater ### 5/5 — Amazing app *2018-02-01, version 1.7.3* As my C64 broke this app is amazing It would be cool to have the new files app integration ### 5/5 — Brings back old memories *2017-11-02, version 1.7.3* This app is the closest thing to owning the Commodore 64 that I’ve seen. My first computer was a Commodore 64 and I loved programming it! Thank you for dev this app ### 5/5 — This is awesome *2017-04-23, version 1.7.3* Some of the old engineering books I'm reading online have their code in BASIC and this app is perfect to help me work through them. ### 5/5 — I'm actually using this as a tool! *2016-12-10, version 1.7.3* I'm enjoying the stew out of this app. I've been wanting to use some of my small programs on the iPhone for some time, without going into full-fledged app development. This does the trick! As a child of the 70s, I'm very familiar with this style of BASIC. I wrote tons of stuff (I wish I still had) on a TRS-80 COCO. Rewriting my small projects for this app is a piece of cake. I can now take my small programs with me. That, and it's a fun trip down memory lane. I'm enjoying the opportunity to use the evil GOTO again, after an almost 30 year hiatus. Writing in an unstructured environment like this feels strangely liberating! Thank you for making this app available. ### 5/5 — The C64 REBORN...in YOUR pocket! *2016-02-04, version 1.7.3* This app is PERFECT for an "über-geek" just like ME, who wants "something to hack around with", JUST LIKE OLD TIMES, when not only the C64 was popular (and STILL is!), but also numerous brands of the old calculator-sized programmable pocket computers, as well. Well done...KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!! ;-) ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — What happened to the help faq, graphics ext pages? *2023-12-04, version 1.7.5* App is obsolete. Help, faq … no longer work. Would suggest looking at other more current apps. Ihelp, faq, new features, graphics extension pages are no longer available online. What happened to them? I want to make local copies of them to prevent this issue I am experiencing now. The developer gave me copies but sadly he is no longer interested. In updating his app to current iOS standards. ### 1/5 — What happened to the help faq, graphics ext pages? *2023-05-20* It seems the help, faq, new features, graphics extension pages are no longer available online. What happened to them? I want to make local copies of them to prevent this issue I am experiencing now. ### 1/5 — PLZ HELP *2020-09-20, version 1.7.5* I don’t know why but WHY DOESN'T IT WORK? ISN'T IT SIMPLE? READY. INPUT "enter the first num "; A INPUT "enter the second num "; B INPUT "enter the third num "; C X=A+B+C PRINT "The Sum Is = ";X ### 1/5 — No peek & poke! *2018-07-26, version 1.7.3* Massive disappointment. Why create CBM Basic 2.0 without Peek and Poke and then add a completely non standard library ie not Simons Basic, Laser Basic etc! Would make more sense creating CBM Basic 7.0. ### 1/5 — Don't waste your time *2018-06-14, version 1.7.3* I have tried for many days to get any command working but everything returns as a syntax error, DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME ON THIS APP ### 1/5 — huh? *2013-01-12, version 1.6* wat. ### 1/5 — Don't upgrade *2012-01-26, version 1.5.1* This is very disappointing; I have upgraded this app and found this removed the free graphics and now I have to buy it back again. NOT HAPPY ### 2/5 — Unusable: crucial "Run/Stop" button missing! *2013-01-16, version 1.6* There is no way to break out of an executing program. So, whille his app has the potential of being extremely cool, it is virtually unusable. Please fix this! How hard could it be to add "Run/Stop"?! Might as well add Function keys and CTRL, while you're at it ### 2/5 — Not Bad, not bad. *2011-12-24, version 1.4.1* Ah... How does one break out of a loop?! ### 2/5 — In app purchase for graphics commands!! *2011-11-23, version 1.4.1* Got this when it first came out, trusting that the developer would improve it and ultimately provide graphics commands. It's a pity that clearly lacking functionality is being charged for. Very disappointing! ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Change Program *2026-05-07, version 1.7.6* Cash Register ### 5/5 — Works great, fun to use *2025-04-30, version 1.7.6* This app works great and is fun to use. After downloading it, I got a used Commodore 64 BASIC book (by Carl Shipman, copyright 1983) from Amazon, since I didn't know BASIC. The app itself has a lot of helpful documentation. I've been learning a lot working my way through the book and am really enjoying using the app. So far I've had no problems with the app at all. ### 5/5 — Works Great *2024-07-20, version 1.7.6* Great app. Allows me to accomplish most math programming on my phone without learning new languages and using large resources on a PC. ### 5/5 — Great Job *2023-01-18, version 1.7.5* This does all the basics and works great, it will save your files and you can run them later. One person complained that they had to retype lines, all you have to do to make a change is list the line then move your cursor on the line make your changes and hit enter, just like the original basic. This has brought back a lot of great memories, thanks for creating this software. ### 5/5 — Impressive App *2022-11-23, version 1.7.5* App works really well, impressive that there is still support and upgrades from time to time. I have been able to write solid C64 basic programs on the go on iPhone and iPad, which has been a blast. Thank you! ### 5/5 — Well Done! *2022-10-03, version 1.7.5* A fantastic app. I remember coding in the 70s and I’ve been missing it a lot. I have emulators for many of the older computers, but I wanted something I could noodle around on while sitting on the couch, and this makes that possible. Thanks for a great experience! ### 5/5 — Best BASIC code editor *2022-06-09, version 1.7.5* Great app, it’s free and is great for writing my own programs in BASIC ### 5/5 — I 🫀 this app *2022-03-28, version 1.7.5* I just wish I could play games on it ### 5/5 — Good app *2022-01-21, version 1.7.5* This is a good app but has no input commands and idk how to use graphics (i purchased) ### 5/5 — Basic as it was meant to be. *2021-07-15, version 1.7.5* Back in 1964, BASIC was created at Dartmouth college as a language that would be accessible to everyone. Back then of course, computing was a resource that had to be wisely shared. Move forward 55 years and we all have computers in out pockets that can compute the moon trajectory in realtime, whilst allowing you to control a space craft, listen to music and print your thesis. During the 80's, BASIC was heavily used and modified to fit micros that by todays standards are tiny. This BASIC leans heavily on the Commodore C64 version, and to a large degree it follows it very well. The developer is to be commended for writing a piece of software that caters for the simple programmers, the ones who don't want to follow the rules of good coding and just want a solution. The hardest part is living inside 38K, as defined by the original memory model in the C64. All in all a fantastic piece of software that has been largely ignored and left to the ravages of time. The fact that it still functions with almost no faults on iPadOS 14.6 is a testament to the programmers coding ability. Well worth the small cost to get the graphics update and a good way to examine past computing methods. You never know, you might even have some fun coding something. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-11.*