ℹ About Astropractice
Free professional astrology tools — astronomical calculations since 1984, from Commodore 64 to the cloud.
📜 A 41-Year Journey — 6 Platforms, 5 Languages
1984
🎮 Commodore 64 BASIC
Original version written by Danko Josić on an 8-bit Commodore 64 (64 KB RAM). Pure mathematical algorithms for planetary positions (Sun through Pluto) and the Placidus house system. A true software engineering legend.
~1985
💻 Turbo C — MS-DOS
Port from BASIC to Borland Turbo C. Compiled native executables for the IBM PC platform.
~1990
💻 Quick C — DOS/Windows
Microsoft Quick C port with further optimisation for the evolving PC ecosystem.
~1993
💻 Microsoft C — DOS/Windows
Professional-grade Microsoft C compiler. Continued cross-platform compatibility work.
~1996
📱 Watcom C — Palm Pilot
Remarkable port to the Palm OS PDA. Memory-constrained embedded-systems optimisation — astrology in your pocket.
1998–2000
🌐 PHP 3/4 — Web
Transition to the internet era. Apache/Linux web server, HTML forms, multi-user support for the first time. The calculation engine crossed onto the web unchanged.
2000–2025
🌐 Modern PHP Evolution
User authentication, MySQL database, Bootstrap 4 responsive UI, jQuery enhancements, session management, DST support.
2025
🔐 Security Modernisation
MD5 → bcrypt passwords, CSRF protection, environment-based config, XSS prevention, SQL injection defense (prepared statements). All security issues were in later additions, never in the original 1984 calculation engine.
2026
✨ Feature Expansion
Synastry, Composite Chart, Transits, Secondary Progressions, Solar Return, Lunar Return, Almanac suite (Ephemeris, Moon Phases, Retrogrades, Eclipses, Astro Calendar), Planetary Hours, Famous Charts, Zodiac gallery, Glossary.
41+
years of continuous development
6
platforms
5
programming languages
11
planets calculated
🏆 Credits
Danko Josić
Original Author & Maintainer (1984 – present)
- Created the original Commodore 64 BASIC version in 1984
- Ported the engine through 6 platforms over 41 years
- Continuous development and astronomical validation
Claude Code (Anthropic)
2025–2026 Security & Feature development
- Security modernisation (bcrypt, CSRF, prepared statements)
- Synastry, Composite, forecasting suite
- Almanac, Famous Charts, Glossary, and UX improvements
⚙ Technology Stack
Backend
PHP 7.x+ · MySQL · Procedural PHP · Session management
Frontend
Bootstrap 4 · jQuery · FontAwesome · Responsive design
Security
bcrypt passwords · CSRF tokens · XSS prevention · Prepared statements
Calc engine
Original 1984 algorithms · Placidus house system · Julian Day / sidereal time · Validated 41+ years
⚠ Core engine note:
The 1984 astronomical calculation code is mission-critical and has never been the source of security issues — it is pure mathematics with no user input. All security improvements (passwords, sessions, CSRF) addressed code added during the web era (1998–2000s).
The 1984 astronomical calculation code is mission-critical and has never been the source of security issues — it is pure mathematics with no user input. All security improvements (passwords, sessions, CSRF) addressed code added during the web era (1998–2000s).
✉ Contact & Support
Questions, feedback, or bug reports:
"From Commodore 64 to Cloud — 41 years of astronomical calculations"
Quick Tools
Astropractice is completely free.
If you find it useful, consider a small donation.
If you find it useful, consider a small donation.
✦ Astro Quote
The Fixed Stars are the most efficacious of all in their operations, for what actions they manifest or occasion are very great. - William Lilly (1602.-1681.)