How do I create a desktop shortcut for an application? Dragging it from its folder removes it entirely. I do not wish to just copy and paste onto the desktop.
While dragging, hold down the Command and option keys... you'll see the cursor change to include a little curved arrow that's used as a badge on files to indicate an alias. Drop on desktop while holding the keys.
Alternately, you could select the application's icon, go to the File menu and select Make Alias (or hit Cmd-L), and then move that new alias file.
Small point of pedantry: OS X's Findercreates an alias of a file, not a shortcut. The difference is that if you move the source item somewhere else, the alias will still link back to the moved original; a shortcut can't follow the path to its new location. That can come in handy.
PS: You can also have the "hard-wired" type of link too in OS X, but the Finder doesn't make this a menu option; you would ned to use another tool like the Terminal.
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Alternately, you could select the application's icon, go to the File menu and select Make Alias (or hit Cmd-L), and then move that new alias file.
PS: You can also have the "hard-wired" type of link too in OS X, but the Finder doesn't make this a menu option; you would ned to use another tool like the Terminal.