It’s been a while (obviously), but I always used to compile the QB-related runtime modules (QB 4.5) directly into the EXE itself, and the size of most of final binaries fit comfortably on a 1.44 MB floppy.

We later had a copy of Microsoft BASIC PDS 7.1, which I believe was the last version of QuickBASIC before they moved to VB for DOS. I do remember the final file sizes being smaller so it's possible that it was more intelligent about pruning the library by only bundling the relevant calls pertinent to the source file.

> I would claim age is a factor, but my former boss, who started university before I was born, is now giving seminars on how to build a project from scratch using Claude Code.

I hate to be cynical (who am I kidding, no I don't) - but I'd wager everyone is playing this game. It's not because they're necessarily super passionate about AI - it's because giving the corporate equivalent of a TED talk is one of the low-hanging fruit to increase your visibility across the org.