OS 10.4 - Software registry

tudorbob · tudorbob #1 (**permalink**)

10-25-2006, 09:10 AM

Hi, I have been using mac for a while and have loved the experience. One thing that I dont understand is that if mac doesnt have a registry then how does it recognise that I have previously installed software - were is that information stored - and what else is it storing that I dont know about?
Tudor

Alexis · Alexis #2 (**permalink**)

10-25-2006, 09:56 AM

You're thinking too much of Windows! Who says it has to have anything like a registry? The info is probably somewhere in your Library folder, but whether it's accessible is another matter.

surfwax95 · surfwax95 #3 (**permalink**)

10-25-2006, 10:18 AM

Usually, a program does two things.

Sits in your Applications folder (Mac apps are self-contained).
Makes a preference file (PLIST) that is stored in your User Library under Preferences.

That's it. Nothing like Windows.

tudorbob · tudorbob #4 (**permalink**)

10-25-2006, 11:46 AM

Thanks - will look into it a bit more.

msb86 · msb86 #5 (**permalink**)

10-25-2006, 06:33 PM

Correct me if I'm wrong, but you could think of the library as a reg. It stores info about files, folders and programs similar to a windows reg. However, I don't think it is as complex as a windows reg. Check it out on the apple website - I'm about to do that myself.

surfwax95 · surfwax95 #6 (**permalink**)

10-25-2006, 06:41 PM

Ehhh...not...really...

...but for the sake of ease, sure.

Alexis · Alexis #7 (**permalink**)

10-26-2006, 05:29 AM

Isn't that why Windows takes so long to load - all the rubbish in the registry it has to go through?

surfwax95 #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 27, 2005 Location: Fayetteville, AR Posts: 2,406 Mac Specs: 15" Powerbook G4 • 24" iMac • iPhone 3Gs	10-25-2006, 06:41 PM Ehhh...not...really... ...but for the sake of ease, sure. I try to Command+Shift+/ when I can. They're - Their - There \| Two - Too - To \| You're - Your \| MAC - Mac I was on the M-F honor roll for October, 2006.
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tudorbob #1 (permalink)
Guest Posts: n/a	10-25-2006, 09:10 AM Hi, I have been using mac for a while and have loved the experience. One thing that I dont understand is that if mac doesnt have a registry then how does it recognise that I have previously installed software - were is that information stored - and what else is it storing that I dont know about? Tudor
	QUOTE Thanks

Alexis #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 20, 2006 Posts: 2,255 Mac Specs: Al iMac 20" 2.4Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo	10-25-2006, 09:56 AM You're thinking too much of Windows! Who says it has to have anything like a registry? The info is probably somewhere in your Library folder, but whether it's accessible is another matter.
	QUOTE Thanks

tudorbob #4 (permalink)
Guest Posts: n/a	10-25-2006, 11:46 AM Thanks - will look into it a bit more.
	QUOTE Thanks

msb86 #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 25, 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 31 Mac Specs: 12" iBook; G4; 1.07 GHz; 512 MB; 30 gig; Combo Drive; Radeon 9200	10-25-2006, 06:33 PM Correct me if I'm wrong, but you could think of the library as a reg. It stores info about files, folders and programs similar to a windows reg. However, I don't think it is as complex as a windows reg. Check it out on the apple website - I'm about to do that myself.
	QUOTE Thanks

Alexis #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 20, 2006 Posts: 2,255 Mac Specs: Al iMac 20" 2.4Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo	10-26-2006, 05:29 AM Isn't that why Windows takes so long to load - all the rubbish in the registry it has to go through?
	QUOTE Thanks

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