new to Macbook, how do I install programs?

Yes, you can, but they need to be written for Mac OS X.

(109315)

To install an application, it needs to be in .dmg. Just double-click on it, wait a few seconds, and take the "App" directly into your "Application" folder.

Hi,

- As a starting point, you should try out the Mac App Store with some of the free apps available there.

- you will need to create an applied before you can start purchasing at $0

Mac Basics: Mac App Store is the built in way to purchase and update software

https://www.apple.com/au/osx/what-is/security.html

Cheers and welcome

Check out this website; MacUpdate is a central repository for 3rd party software that’s not distributed through the App store. Unlike some other repositories it is a safe place from which to download software. In most, if not all, cases the download links are directly to the vendor or shareware author’s download website.

Most of the software you’ll download there (or elsewhere) is delivered and installed one of three ways:

1. the software is delivered as a disk image (extender: dmg) and when double clicked disk image will appear either on your desktop or in the Finder window’s sidebar. The program is inside the disk and is installed by dragging it to the Application folder. Usually, but not always, you’ll find an Application folder in the disk. It is an alias to your Application folder and you can drag the program onto it.
2. the software is delivered either as a disk image as above but the instead of an application to be dragged to the Application folder you’ll see that the file has the word “installer” in the name. Double-click the installer and follow the onscreen instructions to install the program.
3. sometimes you’ll download an archive (extender: zip). After double clicking it you might find a file with the dmg extender; if so treat it as either 1 or 2 above. However you might find a program instead. If so, drag it to your Applications folder. This 3rd option is becoming very rare.