What is "bhole"

Bhole can refer to:

• Bhole, an Intel x86 emulator for Linux, Windows, and Sega Dreamcast
• Bhole (Cthulhu mythos), massive fictional creatures of the Dreamlands in the Dream cycle of H. P. Lovecraft

Bhole is an emulator for Intel x86 PC games designed for DOS. It is different from other PC emulators, in that it emulates the executables directly, rather than through a DOS prompt. This gives the emulator a smaller memory footprint, and has allowed it to be ported successfully to such systems as the Dreamcast video game console. However, this method of emulation has led to a lower compatibility than other PC emulators. Bhole emulates up to an 80386 system, has support for Expanded Memory Specification (EMS) memory, and has PC speaker emulation. Bhole, originally entitled Black Hole, was created by Ori Brost based largely on documents from Ralf Brown's Interrupt List. Its team members currently consist of quzar (who ported the emulator to the Dreamcast). Kevin Read maintains the official BerliOS project page. Ori Brost has recently given an official declaration that he has stopped working actively on BHole, although still willing to help with some coding if asked and willing to provide counciling for anyone that will want to continue its development.