The short answer
A release may include installable assets or source only. Check operating system, architecture, version and publisher before selecting a file.
Try it in three steps
- Find the official release entry in the documentation.
- Read asset descriptions and supported platforms.
- Verify checksums when the publisher provides them.
A practice prompt
Before you start
Classify fictional assets and descriptions without downloading.
Practice material (fictional)
The release states: tool-mac-arm64.zip targets Apple-silicon Macs, tool-win-x64.zip targets 64-bit Windows, Source code.zip is source.Replace placeholders in the prompt with this material, or append the material if there are no placeholders. Reading time excludes doing the exercise.
Explain which release assets target which systems and which contain source. Use descriptions and leave unclear choices unresolved.What to look for (not a recorded test result)
Check your system and architecture, then follow the descriptions. Unexplained names do not establish compatibility, and source is not an installer.
If it goes wrong
A folder of code may be source requiring a build (turning source into runnable or publishable files), not a broken installer.
Check your result
You can state what the file contains and whether it is intended to run directly.
References and scope
The links below support the concepts or product navigation. The steps and exercises are our teaching suggestions, not official certification or measured customer outcomes. Product interfaces and availability may change. References checked on 2026-10-17.