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What exactly is the difference between the two groups?
Typically, it's a matter of scale. But there are also things which a DE does that a window manager will not do. Icons, file associations, etc... these are things that a DE usually does that a window manager would not do.
The task of a window manager is to manage the windows. Move, resize, minimize/hide (optional), close, open, placement... etc. Everything else is not part of the job (although most include menu functionality for people who don't run them in a DE). For example, if you click on a text document and an editor opens with the file in it, you are using functionality that is the realm of the DE.
For many people, a window manager provides all the functionality they need. Other people need the more complete and integrated environment that KDE or Gnome provides. The extra functionality comes at the cost of increased size and resource needs.
Typically, it's a matter of scale. But there are also things which a DE does that a window manager will not do. Icons, file associations, etc... these are things that a DE usually does that a window manager would not do.
The task of a window manager is to manage the windows. Move, resize, minimize/hide (optional), close, open, placement... etc. Everything else is not part of the job (although most include menu functionality for people who don't run them in a DE). For example, if you click on a text document and an editor opens with the file in it, you are using functionality that is the realm of the DE.
For many people, a window manager provides all the functionality they need. Other people need the more complete and integrated environment that KDE or Gnome provides. The extra functionality comes at the cost of increased size and resource needs.
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