On May 17, 2006, at 6:45 PM, Joe Lertola wrote:

> . Are aliases actual finder files or are they something that I can  
> create and store in some kind of list?
You can store aliases in a file and keep the file in the same folder  
as the application. If the application is an OS X bundle, the file is  
effectively hidden so the user is less likely to move it.  A data  
file can be treated in the same manner with the same benefits. Some  
of the example programs on the FB4 release 3 CD are bundles and were  
created with FB

>
>  Should I store things in a folder within the same folder as my  
> applications?
Yes. See above.

> Or should I store them  in a preference file?
Data and preferences should typically be kept separate although the  
distinction between the two is often blurred. Typically, preferences  
are options the user can control and change and impact program  
behavior These should be kept (at least for OS X) in the standard  
plist file for your application (using the reverse naming convention)

>  Can I make my program into a bundle so that I can keep my data and  
> the program in a folder that appears to be a program?
Yes. This means the app runs in OS X only. If that is not a problem,  
using a bundle is preferred by Apple and is convenient for the  
programmer too.

> Is that possible with Future Basic?
Yes.


> If so what are the advantages of using a bundle?
See above.