One of the very first things I looked up when I first got my Macbook was how to install applications on OS X. Installing applications is incredibly easy for most users, but for new users it can sometimes be confusing. There are several different ways that applications on the Mac can be installed. We’ll discuss the main methods below.
Most Mac applications are downloaded as a .dmg file. The .dmg file is a disk image that contains the compressed application files. After downloading the dmg file, Safari will automatically open and mount the file in the finder and on your desktop unless you have changed the default preferences. If you are using another browser, just double click the file and the disk image will mount on your system.
From this point, application installation can vary a little. Some applications, like Adium, provide you with a pointer (alias) to the applications folder in the installation window. Just drag the application icon and drop it on the applications folder alias. The application will now be installed to your applications folder.
Other applications, like Camino, provide you with a windows and the application icon. To install applications like this, just drag the application icon from the window to your local applications folder.
Some larger applications, like Boot Camp, are installed via an installer. Much like setup.exe on windows, the installer provides you with a few options and after clicking a few buttons here and there, the application gets installed. While the application is still installed in your applications folder, it will often install additional files on your system. For example, the Microsoft Office 2004 installer will install additional fonts on your system.
There are a few other ways applications can be installed, but they are mainly variants of the first method. Some developers package their applications in a zip file, and then after uncompressing the application you just drag it to the applications folder. Others package the disk image in a zip file and after uncompressing the disk image you just install it like you would a regular disk image.
That should cover the vast majority of ways to install applications on OS X. If you know of any other ways applications are installed, drop it in the comments below.
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November 12th, 2007 at 1:08 am
Yep, application installation so simple that most PC switchers look for a harder way … there must be! :)