Quite a few years ago, the most popular microcomputer programming language was called Basic.

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It was the world's first publicly available microcomputer and ran on a microprocessor that Intel had invented in 1971.

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In January 1975 Popular Electronics put the Altair 8800 microcomputer on its cover.

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In addition to LEGO's famous bricks, the LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 set contains a multitude of parts-including motors, infrared sensors and a programmable microcomputer-that allow children to create robots that walk, move or take whatever action they're programmed to do.

ENGADGET: Autodesk partners with Lego to create 3D interactive Mindstorm EV3 instructions