How does OSX tell what app to open when you double click a file?

[Mark Waddingham]

On 2019-08-06 23:59, Paul Dupuis via use-livecode wrote:
> For example, if you drag installed 5 apps, APP1, 2, 3, etc, that all
> had a info.plist defintion for a .xyz file extension onto a virgin OSX
> system out of the box and then double-clicked a .wyz file, which of
> the 5 would open?

I *think* the answer to this question probably lies here:

https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/Carbon/Conceptual/LaunchServicesConcepts/LSCConcepts/LSCConcepts.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP30000999-CH202-TP9

The sections on 'Application Registration' and 'Preferred Applications' 
are probably the most pertinent - although it isn't entirely clear how 
the two mechanisms co-exist: registration suggests the 'most recent' 
modification time wise app is stored against a file kind, but preferred 
applications suggests that multiple apps are stored but the newest 
CFBundleVersion wise is chosen.

Warmest Regards,

Mark.

-- 
Mark Waddingham ~ mark at livecode.com ~ http://www.livecode.com/
LiveCode: Everyone can create apps