Mac OS X Bundles

Posted by Matt Thommes on October 21, 2007 | Post type: Gain

Most Mac OS X files are actually bundles. If you try copying and pasting bundles outside of OS X, they will copy in segments, ie: each piece of the bundle.

This can cause unexpected behavior when uploading or emailing files that are actually bundles.

Understanding bundles

Native Mac OS X applications, such as Pages, Keynote, and GarageBand, all save as bundles. However, at first glance, it doesn't look like a bundle. It looks like a regular file. To the novice user, this can be confusing.

Here is an example of how each file name would appear when saving from certain Mac OS X native applications:

  • Pages: my-doc.pages
  • Keynote: my-presentation.key
  • GarageBand: my-song.band
  • Dashboard: my-widget.wdgt

These are just sample file names, but notice each extension.

When copying and pasting these files to other directories within OS X, the file package is retained. To the user, it appears as if they just copied a single file. However, if you attempt to email, upload, or otherwise move the file to another operating system outside of OS X, the package de-assembles itself.

Revealing bundles

To make sense of this idea, just consider native Mac OS X files as folders. Essentially, that's what they are. Folders with files inside.

To make sure a file is actually is bundle, you can easily check using the Finder. Right-click on a file and choose "Show Package Contents".

Screenshot of Mac OS X Finder

Another Finder window should then open up, revealing the contents contained within the bundle.

Screenshot of Mac OS X Finder

Compressing bundles

Normally when emailing or uploading folders, you have to either attach each individual file one at a time, or compress the entire folder into a zip file, for example. For the case of bundles, compressing is the best option, since there could be dozens of files contained within, as well as installer packages that would be difficult to transfer.

In the Finder, right-click on a bundle, and choose "Create Archive of ..."

Screenshot of Mac OS X Finder

This will immediately create a zip file of the entire bundle, which can be emailed or uploaded easily.

About the author(s)

Matt Thommes is an independent publishing enthusiast, mobile blogger, content creator, informative writer, web developer from a suburb of Chicago. Never one to conform, Matt intends to promote the effect the web has on our lives, in an effort to intensify, instruct, and clarify all that is happening around us.

Comments

Note: Comments may be viewed by authors, but if you have a more specific question you'd like to ask them, please email matt.thommes@paininthetech.com.

# Hannes F. Famira at 7/26/2009 2:03 am cst

Now, what can I do to have a folder display as a bundle?

Quick Link to this comment: http://TTIP.me/c5235

# pq at 12/31/2009 7:18 am cst

and what can I do to do the reverse? My desktop folder is seen as a bundle, and when I double click it mac os x asks me with which application I'm supposed to open it with...

Quick Link to this comment: http://TTIP.me/c5466