Types of applications on a Macintosh
There have been many changes in the hardware and software used by Macintoshes over the past few years. This has created several classes of applications for the Macintosh. In order to see the type of an application highlight the application in the Applications directory and select Get Info from the File menu.
- Classic - Applications written for Mac OS 9.2.2 and earlier. These applications will run on the PowerPC computers in Mac OS X under the Classic environment. The will not run under Mac OS X on the newer Intel-based Macintoshes.
- Carbon - Applications written to work under both Mac OS 9.2.2 and earlier as well as Mac OS X. These applications will run natively under Mac OS X on both the PowerPC and Intel based Macintoshes.
- Cocoa - Applications written to run on only Mac OS X.
With the introduction of the Intel-based Macintoshes there are additional classifications.
- PowerPC - Applications written to run on PowerPC versions of the Macintosh. On Macintoshes with Intel processors these programs will run in the Rosetta enviroment. The Rosetta enviroment will not run ALL PowerPC applications. Check with the software manufacturer to see if there are updates which will allow the program to run on the Intel systems.
- Intel - Applications written to run on the new Intel version of the Macintosh. These program will NOT run on PowerPC-based Macintoshes.
- Universal - Applications which have native code for both PowerPC and Intel based Macintoshes. They will run on any system running Mac OS 10.4 and later.
Current Record: 2973
Create Date: 02-03-2006
Last Reviewed: 02-22-2008
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