Editing DOSBox (section)

===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>