When I download Minecraft, why does it only download the launcher?

Recently i uninstalled minecraft from my computer because it wouldn't download an update so i uninstalled it and went back to re-install it but only downloaded a launcher version instead of installing onto my computer. How do I get it to re-install?

The launcher is the game, I believe. Open the launcher, and all you have to do is sign-in and push play.

You have to open the java launcher then it will say ''Launching Minecraft'' After that it will open then you can play!

Launch the launcher, log in, then click play and it will download minecraft for you. You have to launch minecraft from the launcher everytime.

Launcher the launcher and log in. The game will download everything it needs immediately.