# HotPaw Basic

> Retro text-mode Basic interpreter for iOS with graphics and communication features. (iPhone/iPad app by HotPaw Productions.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hotpaw-basic/id295464266 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [HotPaw Productions](https://appshunter.io/developer/285074853)
- Category: Utilities, Education
- Price: $4.99
- Rating: 3.90/5 from 7 App Store ratings · 21 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.3 · 1 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2010-09-29
- Data updated: 2026-08-14
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hotpaw-basic/id295464266/reviews.md

## What is HotPaw Basic?

Calling all early-personal-computing fans, remember typing Basic programs into your home computer?  HotPaw Basic recreates the retro-experience of a text-mode Basic interpreter, and it runs right on your iPhone or iPad.  

You can also use HotPaw Basic as a programmable calculator, or for displaying simple line graphics. 

The HotPaw Basic interpreter supports the minimal Basic language, including:
Commands:
  let  if then else endif   dim data read restore
  for to step next  while wend  goto gosub return
  ?  print  input  open close  end stop   mat
  run new  list del  save load dir cls rem
Functions:
  int() abs() sgn()  rnd()
  sqr() exp() log() log10() sin() cos() tan() atn() 
  len() val() asc() str$() chr$() hex$() mid$() 
  timer() date$ time$ pi
Operators:
  +  -  *  /  mod  ^ =  and  or  xor  not

Also includes new command and functions to support line graphics, Morse Code audio, FFT analysis, GPS location, MQTT and BTLE communications.

Line numbers are required.  Type in the text of your program and type "run" to run them.

See: http://www.hotpaw.com/rhn/basic/iphone/ for a more complete description of the Basic language syntax, commands and functions which this Basic interpreter supports.

## Key features

- Retro text-mode Basic interpreter
- Programmable calculator functionality
- Simple line graphics display
- Morse Code audio output
- FFT analysis
- GPS location support
- MQTT and BTLE communications

## Recent user reviews (10 of 21)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hotpaw-basic/id295464266/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Don't buy

*2025-11-22*

Don't buy. Lots of functions do not work.

### 4/5 — It lives on.

*2025-03-26*

Thanks for keeping Chipmunk Basic alive! 👍🏻

### 4/5 — Good BASIC Interpreter

*2023-02-05*

Amazing little app! It needs some ingenuity to load existing BASIC programs (using copy & paste) but seems to work fine. It has some useful additional functions and some examples of how to use them would be useful.

### 1/5 — Lots of bugs

*2022-05-15, version 1.7.7*

Don't buy. Lots of functions do not work.

### 1/5 — 跟palm系统的ybasic两码事

*2021-11-28*

太次了
以前用过palm系统，palm下的hotpaw basic也叫ybasic很好，ios下花了30大洋不好用，钱白花了

### 1/5 — GPS location does not work

*2018-11-26*

I am very disappointed that the GPS location function does not work. I was really looking forward to using it in my own program :(

### 1/5 — Don’t believe the hype

*2018-06-29*

GPS and location will not work.  It’s pretty crippled by iOS

### 5/5 — EXCELLENT APP!

*2018-02-26*

Thanks so much for providing this! I've been looking for a BASIC that wasn't stripped down, be mobile for my iPhone, and was delighted this is it! I'm an amateur astronomer and I was using an awkward spreadsheet out in the field, which was cumbersome/very time-consuming to keep updated. Now I've written a program to handle it automatically. I spend more time preparing for my next viewing run instead of missing it! Thanks again!

### 3/5 — There's no Break!

*2015-11-28*

How do you force a program to terminate short of exiting the app?

### 3/5 — Does not work on 6.1.3

*2015-04-18*

This is the first ios App that I have ever purchased that doesnt even open. £3.99 rip - off . How do I get a refund?

## Frequently asked questions about HotPaw Basic

### What is HotPaw Basic?

HotPaw Basic is a mobile application that recreates the experience of a text-mode Basic interpreter on iPhones and iPads. It allows users to type and run Basic programs, functioning as a programmable calculator with additional features like graphics and communication support.

### What devices does HotPaw Basic support?

HotPaw Basic is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices.

### How much does HotPaw Basic cost?

HotPaw Basic is a paid application, priced at $4.99.

### What is the age rating for HotPaw Basic?

HotPaw Basic has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users.

### How often is HotPaw Basic updated?

The latest version of HotPaw Basic is 1.8.1, and it was last updated on March 25, 2025. This indicates a recent update and ongoing support.

### Does HotPaw Basic have ads?

No, HotPaw Basic does not contain advertisements. It is a paid application without any ad interruptions.

### What kind of Basic language features does HotPaw Basic support?

HotPaw Basic supports a minimal Basic language including commands like LET, IF, FOR, GOTO, PRINT, INPUT, and functions such as INT(), ABS(), SIN(), COS(), and LEN(). It also includes features for graphics, audio, and communication.

### Can HotPaw Basic be used for advanced tasks?

Yes, in addition to basic programming, HotPaw Basic supports line graphics, Morse Code audio, FFT analysis, GPS location, and MQTT and BTLE communications, offering capabilities beyond a simple interpreter.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.8.1 — 2025-03-25

Bug fixes and stability enhancements.
Improved Morse Code audio.

### 1.7.9 — 2021-10-28

Updated to better support newer iOS devices

### 1.7.7 — 2017-12-22

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

Updated for iOS 11 and the iPhone X.
Improved support for Larger Text (as set in Accessibility Settings).
Basic programs can now be downloaded to HotPaw Basic using iTunes File Sharing, or via the iOS 11 Files app.
The graphics drawing area is now limited to 80% of full screen.
This update includes bug fixes for entering quote marks, and for an occasionally missing "Stop" button to break program execution.

### 1.7.4 — 2015-09-14

Improved some of the built-in audio/sound functions.
Bug fixes.

### 1.7.3 — 2015-04-24

Fix for a bug causing the app to crash under iOS 6.

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## More apps by HotPaw Productions

- [inTuna Strobe Guitar Tuner](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/intuna-strobe-guitar-tuner/id285074850)
- [Sing-inTuna](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sing-intuna/id294767812)
- [MorseTest](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/morsetest/id297010360)
- [XOCubed (3D Tic Tac Toe)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xocubed-3d-tic-tac-toe/id303500525)
- [iAutoharp](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iautoharp/id304091719)

All apps by HotPaw Productions: https://appshunter.io/developer/285074853

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*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 2026-08-14.*