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Usually, When we try to execute applications such as a C-language , Assembler in a 64-bit OS , it simply won't work unless we use programs such as DosBox.

I want to know the reason why the 8-bit applications doesn't work in 64-bit OS ? Since 64-bit is much more greater than the 8-bit therefore 8-bit applications must work in 64-bit processor , then why it doesn't ?

and how programs like DosBox make such 8-bit applications executable in the 64-bit Operating System ?

As far as i know -> those 8-bit applications are operated in Real mode (Dos Mode).

So does that mean there is no real mode when using the 64-bit OS ?

I am confused about this concept, searched a lot on google but couldn't find any answer.

micheller
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    DosBox is an emulator. –  Sep 12 '12 at 19:18
  • The issue is not just 8-bit versus 64-bit, it's also that the 8-bit application requires an API that the OS just doesn't provide -- an API based around 8-bit integers, and 16-bit pointers with segmentation. – David Schwartz Sep 12 '12 at 21:07
  • Dosbox runs 16-bit applications, not 8 bit. There's no 8-bit x86 architecture – phuclv Aug 30 '13 at 08:41

1 Answers1

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Read Why can't a 64 bit OS run a 16 bit application?

DOSBox is able to emulate older CPUs, graphics and audio hardware. Read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emulator for more.

Community
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Karan
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