this post was submitted on 17 Jul 2026
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I think it's important for people to know that "applications" don't actually exist. On macos they're just folders that have a specific file structure.
When you run an application on mac, you're really just running a folder with all the assets inside. You could technically have an app that opens a folder, but runs arbitrary code when it's clicked and the user wouldn't be able to tell. Especially if you make the icon look like a folder.
Saying applications don't exist in this way is like saying books don't exist because they're actually just paper glue ink leather and wood
Lol, I'm agreeing with you. I'm just trying to make it clear that there is an actual special distinction in macos between an app package and an executable file. Which is why this design decision makes total sense.
App packages are closer to flatpacks in Linux. Windows just has the exe binaries with registry info for them. It's good design to visually distinguish different concepts in the GUI.