Commodore 64 BASIC Tutorial for Beginners (2026 Edition) and How to Set Up a C64 Emulator on Windows
Have you ever wanted to learn how to program a **Commodore 64**? Whether you're using the **VICE emulator**, a refurbished original C64, or one of the newly produced Commodore 64 systems, this beginner-friendly tutorial will get you writing your first BASIC programs in just a few minutes.
In this video you'll learn:
• How to install and launch the VICE Commodore 64 emulator
• How to improve the display for easier reading
• How the Commodore 64 starts directly in BASIC
• Using the PRINT command for text and math
• Writing your first "Hello World" program
• Creating an infinite loop with GOTO
• Using INPUT to ask for the user's name and age
• Working with string and numeric variables
• Editing existing programs with line numbers
• LIST, RUN, and NEW commands
• Clearing the screen with CHR$(147)
• Changing text colors with CHR$ codes
• Using REM comments to document your programs
• Switching between uppercase and lowercase
• Insert mode and other useful keyboard tips
One of the amazing things about the Commodore 64 is that when you turn it on, you're immediately placed into a programming environment. Millions of people learned to code this way in the 1980s, and it's still a fun and surprisingly approachable way to learn programming fundamentals today.
If this series gets enough interest, I'll continue with more Commodore 64 BASIC tutorials covering variables, loops, IF/THEN statements, FOR/NEXT loops, arrays, graphics, sprites, sound, disk access, and eventually complete games and applications.
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Thanks for watching, and happy programming!
/ mungodarkmatter