# Box86

> x86 emulator for ARM processors

**Wikidata**: [Q106468213](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q106468213)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Box86)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/box86

## Summary
Box86 is a free software x86 emulator designed to run on ARM processors, allowing users to run x86 applications on non-x86 hardware. It is an instance of free software distributed under the MIT License and is notable for its active development cycle, with the stable version 0.3.8 released in late 2024. The project serves as a precursor to Box64, which is listed as both its follower and replacement.

## Key Facts
- **Definition:** Box86 is an x86 emulator specifically for ARM processors (and other architectures).
- **License:** Distributed under the **MIT License**.
- **Software Category:** It is classified as an **emulator** and **free software**.
- **Supported CPUs:** ARMv7, AArch64, RISC-V, and LoongArch.
- **Project Status:** It is identified as being **followed by** and **replaced by** the Box64 project.
- **Latest Stable Version:** Version **0.3.8**, released on **December 6, 2024**.
- **Initial Release:** Version 0.0.2 was released on **February 11, 2019**.
- **Source Repository:** Hosted on GitHub at `https://github.com/ptitSeb/box86`.
- **Website:** Official site is `https://box86.org/`.
- **Technical Identifiers:** Emulates **Q182933** (x86), runs on OS **Q3251801**, and is written in programming language **Q15777**.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Box86?
A: Box86 is an x86 emulator that allows users to run software designed for x86 architectures on ARM processors and other supported CPUs like RISC-V and LoongArch. It is free software released under the MIT License.

### Q: Is Box86 free to use?
A: Yes, Box86 is classified as free software. This means it is distributed under terms (specifically the MIT License) that allow users to freely run, study, change, and distribute the software and its modified versions.

### Q: What is the difference between Box86 and Box64?
A: According to structured data, Box64 is the successor to Box86; it is listed as both "followed by" and "replaced by" Box64. While Box86 focuses on x86 emulation, the evolution implies a transition to the newer project for future development.

### Q: What architectures does Box86 support?
A: While primarily an x86 emulator for ARM processors, the structured properties list support for **ARMv7**, **AArch64**, **RISC-V**, and **LoongArch**.

### Q: When was the latest version of Box86 released?
A: The most recent stable version provided is **0.3.8**, which was released on **December 6, 2024**.

## Why It Matters
Box86 matters because it addresses the compatibility gap between the ubiquitous x86 software ecosystem and the growing diversity of processor architectures like ARM, RISC-V, and LoongArch. By classifying as "free software," it ensures that users retain the "four freedoms"—the ability to run, study, change, and distribute the code—which is critical for community-driven compatibility tools. The project's explicit succession by Box64 highlights a continuing evolution in cross-architecture emulation, showing a sustained effort to improve performance and compatibility for non-x86 hardware. Its existence allows for the extension of software life cycles and utility on hardware that would otherwise be incompatible with legacy x86 applications.

## Notable For
- **Cross-Architecture Emulation:** Enables x86 applications to function on ARMv7, AArch64, RISC-V, and LoongArch processors.
- **Free Software Philosophy:** Distinctly categorized as free software (MIT License) rather than proprietary alternatives, emphasizing user modification rights.
- **Active Development History:** Spans from early 2019 to late 2024, with a dense release schedule including over 15 distinct version milestones.
- **Succession:** Uniquely marked as being "replaced by" its own follower, Box64, indicating a clear technological handover path.

## Body

### Function and Definition
Box86 is an **emulator** designed to replicate the instruction set of x86 architectures (identified by the entity Q182933) on host systems using **ARM processors**. The primary function of the emulator is to bridge software compatibility, allowing x86 programs to operate on hardware that natively uses different architectures.

### Architecture and Technical Support
The software is built to support a wide range of CPU architectures. While the raw description defines it for "ARM processors," the structured properties specify supported CPU targets including:
- **ARMv7**
- **AArch64**
- **RISC-V**
- **LoongArch**

The software itself is written in the programming language identified as **Q15777** and is designed to run on the operating system identified as **Q3251801**.

### Licensing and Classification
Box86 is explicitly classified as an **instance of** "free software." As defined by the related knowledge base, this categorizes the tool as software distributed under terms that allow users to freely run, study, change, and distribute it.
- **License:** The specific license utilized is the **MIT License**.
- **Copyright Status:** The software is listed as **copyrighted**.
- **Permissions:** As free software, it is distinct from proprietary software and aligns with the "four freedoms" associated with the free software movement.

### Version History
The development of Box86 is documented through an extensive version history spanning from 2019 to 2024. Key releases include:

**Early Development (2019):**
- **0.0.2:** Released February 11, 2019.
- **0.0.4:** Released March 3, 2019.

**Consolidation (2020):**
- **0.1.0:** Released February 5, 2020.
- Subsequent incremental updates (0.1.2, 0.1.4, 0.1.6, 0.1.8) occurred throughout 2020, culminating in version **0.1.8** on December 16, 2020.

**Expansion (2021):**
- **0.2.0:** Released January 12, 2021.
- Followed by **0.2.2** (May 24, 2021) and **0.2.4** (November 19, 2021).

**Maturation (2022-2023):**
- **0.2.6:** Released April 16, 2022.
- **0.2.8:** Released November 17, 2022.
- **0.3.0:** Released March 10, 2023.
- **0.3.2:** Released August 19, 2023 (marked as a stable version).
- **0.3.4:** Released December 15, 2023.

**Recent Stable Releases (2024):**
- **0.3.6:** Released May 21, 2024.
- **0.3.8:** Released **December 6, 2024**. This is identified as the stable version with "preferred" status in the data.

### Project Relations and Succession
Box86 is part of a lineage of emulation tools.
- **Followed by / Replaced by:** The entity **Box64** is listed as both the follower and the replacement for Box86. This indicates that while Box86 serves as the foundation, Box64 has taken over as the primary project for future development or similar utility.
- **Related Entities:** The broader category includes concepts like "freely redistributable software" and "open-source software."

### Online Presence and Resources
The project maintains a distinct digital footprint:
- **Website:** The official portal is `https://box86.org/` (English).
- **Source Code:** The repository is hosted on GitHub (`https://github.com/ptitSeb/box86`), which also serves as the issue tracker.
- **Wikimedia Integration:** The project has an icon and logo available on Wikimedia Commons, and maintains a presence with a "Box86" category and Wikipedia titles in English, Spanish, and Commons.

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/ptitSeb/box86/blob/master/docs/LICENSE)
2. [Release 0.0.2. 2019](https://github.com/ptitSeb/box86/releases/tag/v0.0.2)
3. [Release 0.0.4. 2019](https://github.com/ptitSeb/box86/releases/tag/v0.0.4)
4. [Release 0.1.0. 2020](https://github.com/ptitSeb/box86/releases/tag/v0.1.0)
5. [Release 0.1.2. 2020](https://github.com/ptitSeb/box86/releases/tag/v0.1.2)
6. [Release 0.1.4. 2020](https://github.com/ptitSeb/box86/releases/tag/v0.1.4)
7. [Release 0.1.6. 2020](https://github.com/ptitSeb/box86/releases/tag/v0.1.6)
8. [Release 0.1.8. 2020](https://github.com/ptitSeb/box86/releases/tag/v0.1.8)
9. [Release 0.2.0. 2021](https://github.com/ptitSeb/box86/releases/tag/v0.2.0)
10. [Release 0.2.2. 2021](https://github.com/ptitSeb/box86/releases/tag/v0.2.2)
11. [Release 0.2.4. 2021](https://github.com/ptitSeb/box86/releases/tag/v0.2.4)
12. [Release 0.2.6. 2022](https://github.com/ptitSeb/box86/releases/tag/v0.2.6)
13. [Release 0.2.8. 2022](https://github.com/ptitSeb/box86/releases/tag/v0.2.8)
14. [Release 0.3.0. 2023](https://github.com/ptitSeb/box86/releases/tag/v0.3.0)
15. [New version of Box86 v0.3.2 and Box64 v0.2.4. 2023](https://box86.org/2023/08/new-version-of-box86-v0-3-2-and-box64-v0-2-4/)
16. [Release 0.3.4. 2023](https://github.com/ptitSeb/box86/releases/tag/v0.3.4)
17. [Release 0.3.6. 2024](https://github.com/ptitSeb/box86/releases/tag/v0.3.6)
18. [v0.3.8. 2024](https://github.com/ptitSeb/box86/releases/tag/v0.3.8)