"Share" in Application Settings

"Share" in Application Settings

Hi

How is Share used with "Groups"?   

It appears that there can be Groups established that have no link to Users that have been assigned access to the application?

- What is the purpose of Groups 
- How are they different from User Roles/Profiles?   I use Roles to group users?

Thanks for any clarification you can offer.

Best regards
Edith