Mac OS Firewall question

[Peter Franks]

Odd question because I've never really looked there before, and seems mad 13 odd years later, but... why does the Firewall have a list of apps like VLC, to allow incoming connections, and why not just press block all, There's a few Apple things in the list, but it also has the option to block all incoming connections, so why not just use that? I don't get why VLC needs something like that, or Safari when it works even if blocked? I am pretty sure VLC never ever asked for permission for that setting? If I block all or don't block all, what difference does it make to the apps in that list? High Sierra OS