AppImage is a format for distributing portable software on Linux without needing superuser permissions to install the application. It bundles an application and all its dependencies into a single file, meaning the application can run on a variety of Linux distributions without modification. This self-contained nature eliminates dependency conflicts and simplifies software deployment. AppImages are designed to be easy to use: simply download the file, make it executable, and run it. They do not require installation in the traditional sense, as they are mounted as a virtual filesystem when executed. This allows users to run applications without altering the system's core files. AppImages are particularly useful for distributing proprietary software, beta versions, or applications that are not available in the distribution's package manager. They promote application portability and reduce the burden on developers to package their software for multiple distributions. The format is designed to be backwards compatible, meaning newer AppImages should run on older systems, and vice versa, as long as the kernel supports the required features. AppImages are typically larger than traditionally installed applications due to the inclusion of all dependencies, but the convenience and portability often outweigh this drawback.