Ever downloaded a macOS application and found yourself face-to-face with a mysterious `.dmg` file? Don't panic! It's simply a disk image, like a virtual CD or DVD. Think of it as a container holding all the files necessary to install your software.
Essentially, a DMG file allows developers to package applications and other files into a single, easily distributable package. When you open a DMG, your Mac mounts it as a virtual disk on your desktop, just like inserting a USB drive. You then drag the application icon (or other files) from the mounted disk image to your Applications folder (or your desired location).
Once you've copied the files, it's crucial to eject the DMG! Right-click on the mounted disk image on your desktop and select 'Eject'. This unmounts the virtual disk, freeing up resources. You can then safely delete the original DMG file from your Downloads folder (or wherever you saved it). Now you're ready to enjoy your newly installed software!