System suitcase
Encyclopedia
The System suitcase was one of two principal files comprising Mac OS
from the original release to System 9.2.2, the other being the Macintosh Finder
. The suitcase was located in the System Folder along with the Finder file and contained keyboard layouts, FKEY resources, sounds, and in System 6, bitmap fonts and Desk Accessories.
Prior to System 7, the Font/DA Mover had to be used to move these into or out of the System suitcase. From System 7 and on, the Finder could open and modify the contents of the file. Over the course of subsequent releases, many of the user-serviceable items stored in the System suitcase were moved into separate folders; this was done by creating individual file types that could contain these resources. System 7.0 allowed sounds, fonts and desk accessories to be moved into their own files; opening a sound file would cause the Finder to play the sound, opening a font would show a preview of the font being used, and the operating system treated Desk Accessories as if they were applications. All Desk Accessories were moved to the new Apple Menu Items folder, along with the Control Panels folder. System 7.1 introduced the Fonts folder, which worked by loading all resources (including fonts) contained in font files or font suitcases found within the Fonts folder as if they were part of the System suitcase.
Mac OS
Mac OS is a series of graphical user interface-based operating systems developed by Apple Inc. for their Macintosh line of computer systems. The Macintosh user experience is credited with popularizing the graphical user interface...
from the original release to System 9.2.2, the other being the Macintosh Finder
Macintosh Finder
The Finder is the default file manager used on Mac OS and Mac OS X operating systems; it is responsible for the overall user-management of files, disks, network volumes and the launching of other applications...
. The suitcase was located in the System Folder along with the Finder file and contained keyboard layouts, FKEY resources, sounds, and in System 6, bitmap fonts and Desk Accessories.
Prior to System 7, the Font/DA Mover had to be used to move these into or out of the System suitcase. From System 7 and on, the Finder could open and modify the contents of the file. Over the course of subsequent releases, many of the user-serviceable items stored in the System suitcase were moved into separate folders; this was done by creating individual file types that could contain these resources. System 7.0 allowed sounds, fonts and desk accessories to be moved into their own files; opening a sound file would cause the Finder to play the sound, opening a font would show a preview of the font being used, and the operating system treated Desk Accessories as if they were applications. All Desk Accessories were moved to the new Apple Menu Items folder, along with the Control Panels folder. System 7.1 introduced the Fonts folder, which worked by loading all resources (including fonts) contained in font files or font suitcases found within the Fonts folder as if they were part of the System suitcase.