Uninstalling/removing programs from iMac

I'm planning on getting an iMac in the coming months. I've been a windows user for 10 years and know the procedure for uninstalling unwanted programs on Windows.
I appologise if I've named something incorrectly, this is due to me been a Windows user
I've read that with some (but not all programs on the Mac), that its just a case of dragging the programs icon into the Trash can. But I also read that with some programs this does not get rid of all the program/program leftovers.
I was wondering if someone could tell me how you determine which programs can be dragged to the Trash can and are/will be completley removed. And which programs cannot be dragged to the Trash (because doing this would leave program leftovers) and in this case, how do you ensure that all of the program and the program's leftovers are completely removed from the Mac.
Thanks in advance

MartinR wrote:
Most Mac applications can be deleted just by dragging them to the Trash.  When there are 'leftovers' they are usually just preference files (plist files) or application support files that are usually located in /Library/Application Support.  Leaving these files in place rarely ever causes any problems.  (Unlike in Windows where leaving program artifacts in place can cause problems.)
If you have applications that came with an Uninstaller, by all means use the Uninstall program.   This is especially important with certain well-known applications including everything from Adobe.  The Adobe uninstaller not only removes all the application components but also deauthorizes the software (releases the license) so you can install it on another computer, or sell or gift it to someone else.
That said, you should basically never delete programs that are preinstalled by Apple.  This is especially important regarding QuickTime, Safari and all apps that are in the Applications/Utilities folder.  It would also be inadvisable to remove Dashboard, Expose, Spaces, System Preferences, Text Edit.
Also, be aware that certain programs are intimately related to others ... Mail depends on Address Book and iCal ... iTunes utilizes Image Capture.
Thanks very much for the help and information its greatly appreciated.
When you mention:
'applications that came with an Uninstaller'
For example. If I downloaded an application from the internet. Usually there is a file that has the .dmg extension. If the application that I had downloaded came with an uninstaller, would there be another file with the download application called uninstaller.dmg  ?
I assume that any application that I had downloaded that did not come with an addition file/unistaller, then these could simply be dragged to the trash?

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