How to run DOS programs on Linux

Operating systems are designed to run programs specifically compiled for them, as a program may rely on specific libraries or function calls. To run DOS programs on Linux, you can use virtualization or emulation methods.

DOSBox is a popular emulation program that allows you to run DOS programs on Linux systems. It is widely available in most Linux distributions and can be installed via the distribution's default package manager in the terminal.

1. If you don't already have a copy, download the desired DOS program.

   Related: Abandonware DOS

2. Open the terminal application on your Linux system.
3. Extract the downloaded DOS program files.

   $ cd ~/Downloads/
   ~/Downloads$ unzip Golden\ Axe.zip 
   Archive:  Golden Axe.zip
     inflating: _DOSGAME.TXT            
     inflating: A                       
     inflating: AMAZON.SPR
     ##### snipped

4. Install DOSBox using the package manager in the terminal.

   $ sudo apt update && sudo apt install --assume-yes dosbox #Ubuntu and Debian

5. Launch the DOS program's executable file through DOSBox to run it on your Linux system.

   $ dosbox GOLD.EXE 
   DOSBox version 0.74-2
   Copyright 2002-2018 DOSBox Team, published under GNU GPL.
   ---
   CONFIG: Generating default configuration.
   Writing it to /home/user/.dosbox/dosbox-0.74-2.conf
   ##### snipped