View source for DOSBox

{{Short description|Free MS-DOS emulator}}
{{Redirect|DOS box|the general concept|Virtual DOS machine|the DOS prompt in Windows|Command Prompt}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox software
| name                   = DOSBox
| logo                   = DOSBox icon.png
| logo alt               = The icon is a tan square crate with a medium brown framework containing five yellow letters perpendicularly arranged to form two words: ''DOS'' horizontally and ''BOX'' vertically. Passing behind the 'O' are two darker tan struts diagonally placed in the framework.
| logo caption           = DOSBox icon
| screenshot             = DOSBox v0.74-3 ENG 20210129 15 02 07.png
| screenshot alt         = A command-line interface with a blue text box, followed by a command line. The text box contains text welcoming the user, providing DOSBox instructions, and linking the URL to the official website.
| caption                = DOSBox 0.74-3 opening screen
| author                 = Peter "Qbix" Veenstra, Sjoerd "Harekiet" van der Berg
| developer              = The DOSBox Team
| repo                   = <!-- Automatically filled -->
| programming language   = [[C++]]
| released               = {{start date and age|2002|01|31}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dosbox.zophar.net/|title=DOSBox (old homepage)|access-date=2021-02-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020324184534/https://dosbox.zophar.net/|archive-date=2002-03-24|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| latest release version = {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q479783|P348|P548=Q2804309}}
| latest release date    = {{Start date and age|{{wikidata|qualifier|preferred|single|Q479783|P348|P548=Q2804309|P577}}}}
| latest preview version = {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q479783|P348|P548=Q51930650}}
| latest preview date    = 
| operating system       = [[BeOS]], [[FreeBSD]], [[Linux]] ([[Debian]], [[Fedora (operating system)|Fedora]], [[Gentoo Linux|Gentoo]]), [[macOS]], [[RISC OS]], [[Solaris (operating system)|Solaris]], [[Windows]]  <!--- Do not add any operating systems not listed at https://www.dosbox.com/download.php -->
| language               = English (but allows for alternative keyboard layouts){{Sfn|Manual|2019|loc=8. Keyboard Layout}}
| genre                  = [[Virtual machine]], [[emulator]]
| license                = [[GNU General Public License|GPL-2.0-or-later]]<ref name=Kajaani/>
| website                = {{official URL}}
}}

'''DOSBox''' is a [[Free and open-source software|free and open-source]] [[MS-DOS]] [[emulator]]. It supports running [[computer program|programs]] {{endash}} primarily [[video game]]s {{endash}} that are otherwise inaccessible since [[computer hardware|hardware]] for running a compatible [[disk operating system]] (DOS) is obsolete and generally unavailable today.<ref>{{cite web |title=DOSBox, an x86 emulator with DOS |url=https://www.dosbox.com/comp_list.php?letter=a |website=www.dosbox.com}}</ref> It was first released in 2002, when DOS technology was becoming obsolete. Its adoption for running DOS games is relatively widespread; partially driven by its use in commercial re-releases of games.

==Development==
Before [[Windows XP]], consumer-oriented versions of Windows were based on [[MS-DOS]]. [[Windows 3.0]] and its updates were [[operating environment]]s that ran on top of MS-DOS, and the [[Windows 9x|Windows&nbsp;9x]] series consisted of operating systems that were still based on MS-DOS.{{Sfn|Norton|2004|p=286}} These versions of Windows could run DOS applications. Conversely, the [[Windows NT]] operating systems were not based on DOS. A member of the series, Windows XP, debuted on October 25, 2001; this version of Windows became the first consumer-oriented version of Windows to not use DOS. Although Windows XP [[NTVDM|could emulate DOS]], it could not run many of its applications as they ran only in [[real mode]] to directly access the computer's hardware, and Windows XP's [[Virtual DOS machine#Windows NTVDM|protected mode]] prevented such direct access for security reasons.<ref name="56Fa6">{{cite web|url=https://www.howtogeek.com/188980/pcs-before-windows-what-using-ms-dos-was-actually-like/|title=PCs Before Windows: What Using MS-DOS Was Actually Like|last=Hoffman|first=Chris|work=How-To Geek|date=May 11, 2014|access-date=November 2, 2020}}</ref><ref name="D0qCI">{{cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZQCWAAAAQBAJ&pg=PT49|chapter=Introduction to Windows 7 – The Road to Windows 7|title=MCTS 70-680 Exam Cram: Microsoft Windows 7, Configuring|last=Regan|first=Patrick|publisher=[[Pearson Education]]|date=March 8, 2011|access-date=November 2, 2020|isbn=9780132603201}}</ref> MS-DOS continued to receive support until the end of 2001,<ref name=Windows-7>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S6ffBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA116|title=Microsoft Windows 7 in Depth|last1=Cowart|first1=Robert|last2=Knittel|first2=Brian|publisher=[[Que Publishing]]|date=December 2010|access-date=December 15, 2020|page=116|edition=4th|isbn=978-0-7897-4199-8}}</ref> and all support for any DOS-based Windows operating system ended on July 11, 2006.<ref name=ITPro-2006>{{cite web|url=https://www.itprotoday.com/windows-78/finally-windows-98me-move-towards-retirement|title=Finally, Windows 98/Me Move Towards Retirement|last=Thurrott|first=Paul|work=ITPro Today|publisher=[[Informa]]|date=April 12, 2006|access-date=December 15, 2020}}</ref>

The development of DOSBox began around the launch of [[Windows 2000]]—a Windows NT system{{Sfn|Norton|2004|p=288}}—when its creators,{{Sfn|Loguidice & Barton|2014|p=103}} Dutch programmers Peter Veenstra and Sjoerd van der Berg, discovered that the operating system had dropped much of its support for DOS software. The two knew of solutions at the time, but they could not run the applications in windowed mode or scale the graphics. The project was first uploaded to [[SourceForge]] and released for beta testing on July 22, 2002.<ref name="Nizlk">{{cite web|url=https://sourceforge.net/blog/potm-200905/|title=Project of the Month, May 2009|website=[[SourceForge]]|access-date=2013-01-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091117075950/http://sourceforge.net/community/potm-200905/|archive-date=2009-11-17|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Features==
DOSBox is a [[command-line program]], configured either by a set of command-line arguments or by editing a [[plain text]] configuration file. For ease of use, several graphical [[front end and back end|front end]]s have been developed by the user community.{{Sfn|Loguidice & Barton|2014|p=103}}

While the DOSBox project hopes that one day the emulator will run all programs ever made for the PC, the goal is not yet reached,{{Sfn|Manual|2019|loc=NOTE}} and as of the latest version the primary focus has been on DOS gaming. The basic version does not support [[long filename]]s, most versions of DOS do not support them, and filenames must follow the [[8.3 filename|8.3 name.extension pattern]]: a maximum of 8 characters for the name and up to 3 characters for the [[filename extension|extension]]. Otherwise, filenames will be altered to fit the pattern.<ref name=cuni>{{cite thesis|url=https://is.cuni.cz/webapps/zzp/download/120113877|title=Modular Objective-C Run-Time Library|last=Váša|first=Kryštof|publisher=[[Charles University]]|date=2013|access-date=November 3, 2020|page=84}}</ref><ref name=Plesniarski>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FsUnlOPIAdYC&pg=PA201|title=MCTS Guide to Microsoft Windows 7 (Exam # 70-680)|last1=Wright|first1=Byron|last2=Plesniarski|first2=Leon|publisher=[[Cengage Learning]]|date=October 4, 2010|access-date=November 3, 2020|page=201|isbn=9781111309770}}</ref>

There are versions available on the DOSBox website that support long filenames, at the cost of possible incompatibility with some older programs.<ref name="CVN">{{cite web|url=https://www.dosbox.com/wiki/SVN_Builds#Enhanced_SVN_builds|title=DOSBox Enhanced SVN builds|publisher=DOSBox|access-date=December 3, 2020}}</ref>
The focus of the vanilla version is on gaming, and features such as support for [[Ctrl-Break]]<ref name=carlos-iii>{{cite thesis|url=https://e-archivo.uc3m.es/bitstream/handle/10016/15584/ProyectoFC_Anibal_Ramirez_Garcia.pdf|title=Diseño e implementación de un Sistema Operativo para fines didácticos|language=es|trans-title=Design and implementation of an Operating System for educational purposes|last=Ramírez García|first=Aníbal|publisher=[[Charles III University of Madrid]]|date=May 2012|access-date=December 4, 2020|page=168|hdl=10016/15584}}</ref> may be missing.<ref name=Virtualization>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qXw9p1nzb9QC|title=Virtualization: From the Desktop to the Enterprise|last1=Wolf|first1=Chris|last2=Halter|first2=Erick M.|publisher=[[Apress]]|date=November 3, 2006|access-date=December 4, 2020|page=4|isbn=1430200278}}</ref> Some of the alternative versions support features not present in the vanilla version such as [[Advanced Power Management|APM]] power off, direct parallel port passthrough for printing, and support for East Asian characters.<ref name="CVN" /> 
Because DOSBox accesses the host computer's file system, there thus is a risk of DOS malware exploiting the emulator's security vulnerabilities and causing damage to the host machine, although these vulnerabilities continue to be patched with new DOSBox updates.<ref name=Hack.lu>{{cite thesis|url=https://www.abartel.net/static/p/hacklu2019_build_engine.pdf|title=DOS Software Security: Is there Anyone Left to Patch a 25-year old Vulnerability?|last=Bartel|first=Alexandre|publisher=[[Hack.lu]]|date=October 24, 2019|access-date=December 2, 2020|page=1–2, 18}}</ref>

Users can also capture screenshots and record videos of DOS sessions, although a [[codec]] is required to play the videos.<ref name=Kajaani>{{cite thesis|url=https://www.theseus.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/34091/hietala_otto.pdf|title=Developing a Game Engine With SDL|last=Hietala|first=Otto|publisher=[[Kajaani University of Applied Sciences]]|date=April 26, 2011|access-date=November 19, 2020|page=15|id={{URN|NBN|fi:amk-2011053010299}}}}</ref> It is also possible to record [[Yamaha OPL|OPL]] sound card and [[MIDI]] commands, as well as save sound output on a [[WAV]] file.{{Sfn|Manual|2019|loc=5. Special Keys}} Keyboard keys and the buttons of a game controller can be mapped to other keys and combinations thereof.{{Sfn|Manual|2019|loc=7. KeyMapper}}

===OS emulation===
DOSBox is a full-system emulator that provides [[BIOS interrupt call|BIOS interrupts]]<ref>{{cite book |last1=Black|first1=Michael David|last2=Komala|first2=Priyadarshini  |title=Proceedings of the 42nd ACM technical symposium on Computer science education |chapter=A full system x86 simulator for teaching computer organization |publisher=[[Association for Computing Machinery]]|date=March 2011|pages=365–366|doi=10.1145/1953163.1953272|isbn=9781450305006|s2cid=8334945}}</ref> and contains its own internal DOS-like [[Shell (computing)|shell]]. This means that it can be used without owning a license to any real DOS operating system. Most commands that are found in [[COMMAND.COM]] are supported,{{Sfn|Manual|2019|loc=4. Internal Programs}} but many of the more advanced commands found in the latest MS-DOS versions are not.<ref name=Glasgow>{{cite journal|url=https://www.planets-project.eu/docs/reports/Planets_TB6-D1F_PA6-D12_BinaryTranslationAndVirtualisation.pdf|title=Preservation of Dynamic & Interactive Content by use of Binary Translation and Virtualisation – a Methodology for Experimentation|last=Konstantelos|first=Leo|journal=[[Planets Project]]|publisher=[[Humanities Advanced Technology and Information Institute]]|date=July 1, 2010|access-date=December 20, 2020|page=23}}</ref> In addition to its internal shell, it also supports running image files of games and software originally intended to start without any [[operating system]].{{Sfn|Manual|2019|loc=4. Internal Programs}} Besides emulating DOS, users can also run [[Windows 1.0]] to [[Windows 3.1|3.11]] and applications designed for them,{{Sfn|Loguidice & Barton|2014|p=241}} as well as versions of Windows within the [[Windows 9x]] family.<ref name=Win9x>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.it/gadget/videogiochi/2019/02/15/migliori-emulatori-per-pc-mac-linux-videogiochi/|title=Videogiochi vintage, i migliori emulatori per pc, Mac e Linux|language=it|trans-title=Vintage video games, the best emulators for PC, Mac and Linux|last=Barbera|first=Diego|magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]|date=February 15, 2019|access-date=November 11, 2020}}<br>{{cite web|url=https://www.techradar.com/how-to/how-to-get-the-windows-98-experience-on-todays-pcs/3|title=How to get the Windows 98 experience on today's PCs|last=Drake|first=Nate|work=[[TechRadar]]|date=June 25, 2018|access-date=November 11, 2020|page=3}}</ref>

When the DOSBox application is opened, it automatically [[Mount (computing)|mounts]] to a virtual, permanent{{Sfn|Manual|2019|loc=4. Internal Programs}} <code>Z:</code> drive that stores DOSBox commands and utilities.<ref name=Haines>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dsEyDwAAQBAJ|title=Beginning Ubuntu for Windows and Mac Users: Start your Journey into Free and Open Source Software|last=Haines|first=Nathan|publisher=[[Apress]]|date=August 25, 2017|access-date=November 9, 2020|page=131|isbn=9781484230008}}</ref> The reasons for the virtual drive are related to security,<ref name=Koldyrkaev>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/PC-World_Magazine_2008-01|title=Apple Virtualization|language=ru|last=Koldyrkaev|first=Nikolay|magazine=[[PC World]]|date=January 2008|access-date=December 25, 2020|issue=61|page=36}}</ref> but the user can mount a different drive letter in the emulator to a directory, image file, floppy disk drive, or CD-ROM drive on the host to access its data. A configuration file and its [[AUTOEXEC.BAT|AUTOEXEC]] section can be used to respectively configure DOSBox settings and execute DOS commands at startup.{{Sfn|Manual|2019|loc=4. Internal Programs}}

===Hardware emulation===
DOSBox is capable of running DOS programs that require the [[central processing unit|CPU]] to be in [[real mode]] or [[protected mode]].<ref name="Interview">{{cite interview | subject = Qbix | interviewer = Classic Dos Games | title = Interview with Qbix | url = https://www.classicdosgames.com/interviews/peterveenstra.html | date = 2008-04-30 | access-date = 2009-01-03 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200201092643/https://www.classicdosgames.com/interviews/peterveenstra.html | archive-date = February 1, 2020 | url-status = dead}}</ref> Since DOSBox can emulate its CPU by interpretation, the environment it emulates is completely independent of the host CPU.<ref name="Interview" /> On systems which provide the x86, [[ARM architecture|ARM]], or other [[reduced instruction set computer|RISC]] [[instruction set]]s, however, DOSBox can use [[binary translation|dynamic instruction translation]] to accelerate execution.<ref name=Hack.lu/>{{Sfn|Manual|2019|loc=10. How to speed up/slow down DOSBox}} The emulated CPU speed of DOSBox is also manually adjustable by the user to accommodate the speed of the systems for which DOS programs were originally written.<ref name="6fLMS">{{cite web |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/104725/how-to-use-dosbox-to-run-dos-games-and-old-apps/ |last=Hoffman |first=Chris |title=How To Use DOSBox To Run DOS Games and Old Apps |date=2015-10-05 |website=How-To Geek |access-date=2017-02-09}}</ref>

DOSBox uses the [[Simple DirectMedia Layer]] external library to handle graphics, audio, and input devices.<ref name=pc-welt>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcwelt.de/ratgeber/DOS-Box-Spiele-Klassiker-in-Linux-wiederbeleben-1302385.html|title=DOS-Box: Spiele-Klassiker in Linux wiederbeleben|language=de|trans-title=DOSBox: Revive classic games on Linux|last=Wolski|first=David|work=[[PC-Welt]]|date=June 3, 2020|access-date=November 6, 2020}}</ref> Graphically, it can use the [[DirectDraw]] or [[OpenGL]] [[API]]s, and can also use [[bilinear interpolation]] and scale graphics for computers with modern displays.<ref name=PC-Games>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.pcgameshardware.de/Online-Spiele-Thema-121940/Specials/Origin-Access-Die-Gaming-Flatrate-1265561/|url-access=subscription|title=Flatrate-Gaming à la EA|language=de|last=Bikoulis|first=Alexandros|magazine=[[PC Games|PC Games Hardware]]|date=October 2, 2018|access-date=December 8, 2020|pages=112–113}}</ref> Graphical emulation includes [[IBM Monochrome Display Adapter|text mode]], [[Hercules Graphics Card|Hercules]], [[Color Graphics Adapter|CGA]], [[Enhanced Graphics Adapter|EGA]], [[Video Graphics Array|VGA]], [[VESA BIOS Extensions|VESA]], [[S3 Trio|S3 Trio 64]],<ref name=PVW>{{cite report|url=https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/handle/2142/17097|title=Preserving Virtual Worlds Final Report|last1=McDonough|first1=Jerome|last2=Olendorf|first2=Robert|last3=Kirschenbaum|first3=Matthew|last4=Kraus|first4=Kari|last5=Reside|first5=Doug|last6=Donahue|first6=Rachel|last7=Phelps|first7=Andrew|last8=Egert|first8=Christopher|last9=Lowood|first9=Henry|last10=Rojo|first10=Susan|publisher=[[University of Illinois]]|date=August 31, 2010|access-date=November 3, 2020|page=77|hdl=2142/17097}}</ref> and [[Tandy Graphics Adapter|Tandy]].{{Sfn|Manual|2019|loc=3. Command Line Parameters}} Sound emulation includes the [[PC speaker]], [[AdLib]], [[Gravis Ultrasound]], [[Sound Blaster]], [[Covox Speech Thing|Disney Sound Source]], Tandy, and [[MPU-401]]. However, because DOSBox does not come packaged with Gravis Ultrasound drivers, they need to be installed separately for full support.<ref name=Koldyrkaev/>{{Sfn|Manual|2019|loc=2. Start (FAQ)}}

DOSBox can simulate serial [[null modem]]s using the [[Internet protocol suite|TCP/IP]] protocol and [[IPX]] network tunneling, which allows for DOS multiplayer games using one of them to be played over [[local area network]]s or the Internet.<ref name=Castle>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/Maximum_PC_0810-web|title=Run All Your Old Games Using DOSBox|last=Castle|first=Alex|magazine=[[Maximum PC]]|date=August 2010|access-date=November 9, 2020|page=67}}</ref> It can also simulate the [[game port|PC joystick port]], with limited options being to emulate one [[joystick]] with four axes and four buttons; one [[gamepad]] with two axes and six buttons; two joysticks each with two axes and two buttons; a [[Thrustmaster]] Flight Control System joystick that has three axes, four buttons, and a [[hat switch]]; and a CH Flightstick with four axes, six buttons that can be pressed only one at a time, and a hat switch. Newer joysticks and gamepads will need to use one of these configurations to function.{{Sfn|Manual|2019|loc=6. Joystick/Gamepad}}<ref name=Gravis-Gamepad>{{cite web|url=https://www.howtogeek.com/672716/how-the-gravis-pc-gamepad-transformed-pc-gaming-in-the-90s/|title=How the Gravis PC GamePad Transformed PC Gaming in the '90s|last=Edwards|first=Benj|work=How-To Geek|date=June 6, 2020|access-date=November 23, 2020}}</ref>

==Reception==
DOSBox has become the ''de facto'' standard for running DOS games.{{Sfn|Loguidice & Barton|2014|p=103}}<ref name=No-Fuss>{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/91355/old-games/|title=5 Great No-Fuss Sites for Finding Classic Computer Games|last=Aamoth|first=Doug|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date=May 9, 2014|access-date=November 8, 2020}}</ref> ''[[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]]'' positively remarked on the project's continual reception of updates, its influence on PC gaming, and some front ends designed to facilitate using it.<ref name=RPS>{{cite web|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2009/05/28/dosbox-we-salute-you/|title=DOSBox, We Salute You|last=Meer|first=Alec|work=[[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]]|date=May 28, 2009|access-date=November 8, 2020}}</ref> Freelance writer Michael Reed lauded the quality of scaled graphics and the project's overall focus on compatibility and accurate emulation, but criticized the lack of both [[save state]]s and user-friendly control over the emulator during runtime, even with the front ends available at the time of his review.<ref name=FSM>{{cite web|url=http://freesoftwaremagazine.com/articles/dosbox_multiplatform_pc_emulator/|title=DOSBox, a multiplatform PC emulator|last=Reed|first=Michael|work=[[Free Software Magazine]]|date=June 5, 2008|access-date=December 20, 2020}}</ref> DOSBox was named SourceForge's Project of the Month in May 2009<ref name="Nizlk"/> and again in January 2013, making it the first project in the website's history to receive two Project of the Month awards.<ref name="AW4Vm">{{cite web|url=https://sourceforge.net/community/potm-201301/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130222062147/https://sourceforge.net/community/potm-201301/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-02-22|title=Project of the Month, January 2013|website=[[SourceForge]]|access-date = 2013-01-17}}</ref> On the SourceForge website, it reached 10 million downloads on July 21, 2008,<ref name="Nizlk"/> and was downloaded more than 25 million times as of October 2015.<ref name=Mellon>{{cite report|url=https://www.mellon.org/news-blog/articles/emulation-virtualization-preservation-strategies/|title=Emulation & Virtualization as Preservation Strategies|author=Rosenthal, David S. H.|author-link=David S. H. Rosenthal|publisher=The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation|date=October 2015|access-date=December 21, 2020|archive-date=December 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209131450/https://mellon.org/news-blog/articles/emulation-virtualization-preservation-strategies/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Usage==
<!-- Per WP:NOTABILITY, third-party uses of DOSBox should be backed up by secondary sources. -->

Since January 2011, the developers of the [[Wine (software)|Wine]] [[compatibility layer]] have integrated DOSBox into Wine to facilitate running DOS programs that are not supported natively by the Wine [[Virtual DOS machine]].<ref name=Wine>{{cite web|url=https://www.root.cz/zpravicky/wine-zacina-implementovat-dosbox/|title=Wine začíná implementovat DOSBox|language=cs|trans-title=Wine is starting to implement DOSBox|last=Pošvic|first=Kamil|work=Root.cz|date=January 24, 2011|access-date=December 13, 2020}}</ref>

Since January 2015, the [[Internet Archive]] has added thousands of DOS games to its software library. {{As of|2019|10}}, the DOS library contained 6,934 games.<ref name=Archive-2019>{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/10/15/20915967/internet-archive-goose-game-ms-dos-archive|title=Nearly 7,000 games available in MS-DOS archive, including the original goose game|last=Carpenter|first=Nicole|work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|date=October 15, 2019|access-date=December 13, 2020}}</ref> The collection is provided for "scholarship and research purposes only".<ref name="fSBGg">{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/about/terms.php |title=Internet Archive's Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Copyright Policy |date=2014-12-31 |access-date=2015-01-08 |quote=''Access to the Archive’s Collections is provided at no cost to you and is granted for scholarship and research purposes only.''}}</ref>

===Forks===
* Em-DOSBox<ref name=Archive-2015>{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/01/over-2300-ms-dos-games-now-completely-free-to-play-at-internet-archive/|title=Over 2,300 MS-DOS games now completely free to play at Internet Archive|last=Machkovech|first=Sam|work=[[Ars Technica]]|date=January 6, 2015|access-date=December 13, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Gjenero |first1=Boris |title=DOSBox ported to Emscripten |url=https://github.com/dreamlayers/em-dosbox |website=github.com/dreamlayers/em-dosbox}}</ref> uses [[Emscripten]] to convert the emulator's C++ code<ref name=MCDC>{{cite journal|title=Comparison of DC and MC/DC code coverages|last1=Szűgyi|first1=Zalán|last2=Porkoláb|first2=Zoltán|department=Department of Programming Languages and Compilers|journal=Acta Electrotechnica et Informatica|publisher=[[Eötvös Loránd University]]|date=December 2013|volume=13|issue=4|page=60|issn=1338-3957|doi=10.15546/aeei-2013-0050|doi-access=free}}</ref> to [[JavaScript]], making the games playable in a web browser.<ref name=Emscripten>{{cite book |last1=Kaltman|first1=Eric|last2=Osborn|first2=Joseph|last3=Wardrip-Fruin|first3=Noah|last4=Mateas|first4=Michael|title=Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on the Foundations of Digital Games |chapter=Getting the GISST: A toolkit for the creation, analysis and reference of game studies resources |publisher=[[Association for Computing Machinery]]|date=August 14–17, 2017|page=5|doi=10.1145/3102071.3102092|isbn=978-1-4503-5319-9 }}</ref>
* DOSBox-X<ref>{{cite web |title=DOSBox-X - Accurate DOS emulation for Windows, Linux, macOS, and DOS |url=https://dosbox-x.com/ |website=dosbox-x.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Campbell |first1=Jonathan |title=joncampbell123/dosbox-x |website=[[GitHub]] |url=https://github.com/joncampbell123/dosbox-x |date=18 December 2022}}</ref> aims to be compatible with all pre-2000 DOS and Windows 9x based hardware scenarios.<ref>{{cite web |title=DOSBox - Emulation General Wiki |url=https://emulation.gametechwiki.com/index.php/DOSBox#Notable_active_forks |website=emulation.gametechwiki.com}}</ref>
* DOSBox Staging<ref>{{cite web |title=DOSBox Staging |url=https://www.dosbox-staging.org |website=dosbox-staging.org}}</ref> aims to be a modern continuation of DOSBox; with modern coding practices and advanced features.
* DOSBox Pure<ref>{{cite web |title=DOSBox Pure |url=https://github.com/schellingb/dosbox-pure |website=github.com/schellingb/dosbox-pure}}</ref> is a [[libretro]] core that implements DOSBox, with some additional features such as state saving and rewind.
* jDOSBox<ref>{{cite web 
|title=jDOSBox
|url=https://github.com/Tennessene/jDOSBox |website=github.com/Tennessene/jDOSBox}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=June 29, 2014 |title=jDosbox |url=https://sourceforge.net/projects/jdosbox |website=sourceforge.net/projects/jdosbox}}</ref> is a pure Java x86 emulator based on DOSBox. It was created to run all DOS games as well as DOSBox, but in the browser (before Java applets were discontinued). In addition, it will boot up Windows 95/98, Windows NT 4.0, Windows XP, ReactOS and some flavors of Linux such as DSL.<ref>{{cite web |title=Status - jDosbox
|url=https://jdosbox.sourceforge.net/cms
|website=jdosbox.sourceforge.net/cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190304011952/http://jdosbox.sourceforge.net/cms
|archive-date=March 4, 2019
}}</ref>

===Commercial===
{{See also|:Category:Games commercially released with DOSBox}}

DOSBox has also been both the most used DOS emulator and, because of the straightforward process of making the games work on modern computers,<ref name=Escapist>{{cite magazine|title=Everything Good Old is New Again|last=Au|first=Alan|magazine=[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]]|date=June 7, 2011|issue=309}}</ref> the most popular emulation software for developers re-releasing legacy versions of their games.<ref name=demonization>{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2016/03/how-the-demonization-of-emulation-devalues-gamings-heritage/|title=How the demonization of emulation devalues gaming's heritage|last=Orland|first=Kyle|work=[[Ars Technica]]|date=March 20, 2016|access-date=November 9, 2020}}</ref> [[id Software]] has used DOSBox to re-release vintage games such as ''[[Wolfenstein 3D]]'' and ''[[Commander Keen]]'' on [[Valve Corporation|Valve]]'s [[Steam (service)|Steam]]. In the process, it was reported they violated the program's license, the GNU GPL, by not packaging the license text; the breach, which was reported as an oversight, was promptly resolved.<ref name="rDkqD">{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=80945|url-status=dead|title=id sorts GPL Steam issue| publisher=[[Eurogamer]]| date=2007-08-07|access-date=2009-01-03|author=Purchese, Rob|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100123160202/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/id-sorts-gpl-steam-issue|archive-date=2010-01-23}}</ref> [[Activision Blizzard]] has also used it to re-release [[Sierra Entertainment]]'s DOS games.<ref name=Activision-Blizzard>{{cite web|url=https://www.4players.de/4players.php/spielinfonews/Allgemein/10398/1966413/Activision_Blizzard.html|title=Activision Blizzard: Veröffentlicht Sierra-Oldies|last=Dasgupta|first=Julian|work=[[4Players]]|date=July 23, 2009|access-date=December 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115090753/https://www.4players.de/4players.php/spielinfonews/Allgemein/10398/1966413/Activision_Blizzard.html|archive-date=January 15, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> [[LucasArts]] used it to rerelease ''[[Star Wars: Dark Forces]]'' and ''[[Star Wars: TIE Fighter]]'' for modern machines on Steam and [[GOG.com]].<ref name="LucasArts">{{cite web |last=Hefford |first=Hayden |date=November 13, 2019 |title=The 10 best Star Wars games on PC |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2019/11/13/best-star-wars-games-on-pc/ |access-date=December 6, 2020 |work=[[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]]}}</ref> [[2K Games]] producer Jason Bergman stated the company used DOSBox for Steam rereleases of certain installments of the ''[[XCOM]]'' series.<ref name="dRxYY">{{cite web|url=https://www.shacknews.com/laryn.x?id=17846108#itemanchor_17846108| title=Comments-morning discussion| publisher=[[Shacknews]]| date=2008-09-04|access-date=2009-01-03|author=Bergman, Jason}}</ref> [[Bethesda Softworks]] has recommended DOSBox and provided a link to the DOSBox website on the downloads page for ''[[The Elder Scrolls: Arena]]'' and ''[[The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall]]''.<ref name=Daggerfall>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/07/09/bethesdas-free-daggerfall|title=Bethesda's Free Daggerfall|last=Haynes|first=Jeff|work=[[IGN]]|date=July 9, 2009|access-date=December 11, 2020}}</ref> It also included DOSBox with both games in ''The Elder Scrolls Anthology'' release.<ref name=ES-Anthology>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/elderscrolls/elder-scrolls-anthology-cross-section-pc-gaming-history-now-available-europe|title=The Elder Scrolls Anthology is a cross-section of PC gaming history, now available in Europe|last=Peel|first=Jeremy|work=[[PCGamesN]]|date=September 17, 2014|access-date=December 11, 2020}}</ref>

[[Electronic Arts]]' [[Origin (service)|Origin]] client uses DOSBox for the platform's DOS games,<ref name=PC-Games/> including Electronic Arts titles such as ''[[Syndicate (1993 video game)|Syndicate]]''<ref name=Syndicate>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/the-original-syndicate-is-origins-new-on-the-house-freebie/|title=The original Syndicate is Origin's new On the House freebie|last=Chalk|first=Andy|work=[[PC Gamer]]|date=March 3, 2015|access-date=December 8, 2020}}</ref> and ''[[SimCity 2000]]''.<ref name=SimCity-2000>{{cite web|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2014/12/10/sim-city-2000-free/|title=Sim City 2000 Is 20 Years Old And Free|last=Walker|first=John|work=[[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]]|date=December 10, 2014|access-date=December 8, 2020}}</ref>

==See also==
* {{Annotated link|Tao ExDOS}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

=== Sources ===
{{Refbegin}}
*{{cite book|ref={{harvid|Manual|2019}}|url=https://www.dosbox.com/DOSBoxManual.html|title=DOSBox v0.74-3 Manual|publisher=The DOSBox Team|date=2019|access-date=November 9, 2020}}
*{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WK8gAQAAIAAJ|title=Peter Norton's Intro to Computers 6/e|last=Norton|first=Peter|publisher=[[McGraw-Hill Education]]|date=December 30, 2004|access-date=November 2, 2020|isbn=0072978902}}
*{{cite book|ref={{harvid|Loguidice & Barton|2014}}|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wZnpAgAAQBAJ|title=Vintage Game Consoles: An Inside Look at Apple, Atari, Commodore, Nintendo, and the Greatest Gaming Platforms of All Time|last1=Loguidice|first1=Bill|last2=Barton|first2=Matt|publisher=[[CRC Press]]|date=February 24, 2014|access-date=November 8, 2020|isbn=9781135006518}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
* {{Official website}}

{{Virtualization software}}
{{Portal bar|Free and open-source software|Netherlands|Video games}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dosbox}}
[[Category:2002 software]]
[[Category:BeOS software]]
[[Category:Cross-platform free software]]
[[Category:DOS emulators]]
[[Category:Free software programmed in C++]]
[[Category:Free software that uses SDL]]
[[Category:MacOS emulation software]]
[[Category:Linux emulation software]]
[[Category:Portable software]]
[[Category:RISC OS emulation software]]
[[Category:Solaris software]]
[[Category:Windows emulation software]]
[[Category:X86 emulators]]
[[Category:Free emulation software]]