Intsalling/uninstalling programs..??

I can't seem to find where I uninstall anything on my new iMac. I've never had a Mac before so I'm still in PC mindset. I've heard you can just drag it to Trash but won't files be left behind??
Also, how do you run programs you download? The icon goes to my desktop but I can't get it to actually "run" the program. I know I'm missing some step obviously.
Any help would be appreciated.

Mac apps come generally in two varieties; Drag & Drop apps, and apps which use an installer.
Drag & Drop apps are generally straight forward. After you load the install disc or download from the internet, you are presented with the app's icon which you drag & drop into your Apps folder. If you want this app available to all the accounts that may use your Mac, drag & drop it in the Apps folder in the Finder window sidebar. If you want this app only for your own use, create an Apps folder in your Home (the little House icon) folder (if there is not one already) and drag & drop the app there. On rare occasions, there may be additional files to scatter around your Mac with a Drag & Drop app. These may be Contextual menu or Internet plugins which extend the use of this app. There should be a ReadMe file to explain where to place these files, as well as their function so you can decide beforehand if you need/want them.
Apps which involve an Installer are usually more complicated so they use an Installer with a script which places all of the needed files to use the app successfully/correctly in their proper location. Often these apps also have a stand alone uninstaller which searches down those files and sends them to the trash for you if you wish to remove the app. If it does not have a stand alone uninstaller, it may have an uninstaller mode in the installer. It is often a good idea to hang on to an installer or uninstaller for just that purpose.
Some poorly written Installers can corrupt the file permissions on your Mac when they install a new app. It is a good idea to use Disk Utility in your Apps/Utilities folder to Repair Disk Permissions on your Startup Disk after installing using an installer.
Apps which you download from the internet often come on a Disk Image (.dmg). You need to double click this image and it will mount on your Desktop, just like you have inserted a disc in the disk drive. After the dmg has mounted, you can Drag & Drop the app into the Apps folder, or run the Installer, whichever is the case.
I use the freebie, AppCleaner, as well as the Shareware, AppZapper. Both do a good job, but occasionally leave some harmless files behind which are strangely named, or in very obscure locations. It is a good idea to use one of these app removers on Drag & Drop apps, because even these apps will generate related files, such as a preferences file, the first time that you run them. For apps installed by an installer, the app's own uninstaller is always my first choice for removing it later.

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