As the name implies these objects are organizational helpers. As in an office, a container holds the objects you are dealing with. They can store any WPS object, including other containers. The standard container in the Workplace Shell is the folder. A folder icon looks, by default, like a manila (cardboard) folder. They are often "personalized" by the user or administrator for easier identification on a cluttered desktop.
Container objects may be folders or work areas. Both types of containers appear and behave in a similar manner; the user can copy or move an object between any container, either folder or work area.
Folders
A folder can store and display any kind of Workplace Shell object, but it has a "passive" nature. Even while objects can be opened or started from within a folder, it just stores them and doesn't know anything about them.
Work Areas
In contrast to folders, a work area is not completely passive. If an object in a work area has been opened with a different view and the work area is being closed, all the "dependent" views will be closed too.