what happens when you install a program? Why is it not sufficient to just download the files?
In: Technology
I’ll use Windows for this. I know small utility programs that are both straight runnable and as an option you can run an installer. To run the executable, you run it. You might put it somewhere and put a shortcut on your desktop. The installer version puts the program in the programs folder, puts an entry in the start menu, can put a shortcut on the desktop, and can associate the program with certain file extensions since those are functions of an installer.
More complex programs, ones that come with many other files, usually like to have an installer so they can all be put neatly in your programs folder and do even more integration with the OS (such as adding registry entries). However, I also have some programs that have other files that you just put in the folder of your choice and run.
It’s different on the Mac. Normally a program and all of its associated files are contained in one file called a bundle. Internally, this file has full folder structures containing all of the files an app needs. You can drop it anywhere and execute it, and the OS will know which file within the bundle to run as the executable. If you’re on a Mac, you can right click and select “Show Package Contents” to see what’s in it.
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