Where do OSX applications typically store user configuration data?

Question

I\'ve noticed on OSX, installation is frequently a drag and drop one file kinda deal. I assume that file is an archive of all the applications necessary bits and that the appli

Answer 1

As an addendum to harms' answer, I would note that, like the windows registry, OS X preferences are deliberately not deleted when the app is removed but, unlike the windows registry, preferences can migrate from machine to machine as you upgrade your Mac and use the "user migration" facility.

This can lead to surprising results such as installing "NeatoApp 2008" and discovering that it knows all the settings you chose for "NeatoApp 2003" even though the 2003 version was never installed on your current machine.