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Leopard Reference Library
A full suite of free developer tools is available to Mac OS X developers, who can speed up their development process by using these tools to prototype, compile, debug, and optimize their software products. Xcode, Apple's integrated development environment, can be used with Cocoa, Carbon, or Java. Apple also provides a wide selection of open source tools, such as GCC.

A guided introduction for developers new to Mac OS X developer tools.   Essential information for developers using the Xcode software development tool set.  
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Cocoa Application Tutorial Using Bindings (HTML) (PDF)
A hands-on introduction to Cocoa bindings.
Xcode Guides 2007-07-10
iSync Plug-in Maker User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use the iSync Plug-in Maker tool to create and test iSync phone plug-ins.
General, Syncing Guides 2007-07-10
Cross-Development Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to build software for versions of Mac OS X other than the one the development tools are running on.
Xcode Guides 2006-11-07
Framework Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Conceptual information and guidelines on how to create a framework.
Xcode Guides 2006-11-07
Porting CodeWarrior Projects to Xcode (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to move software projects from CodeWarrior to Xcode and compares the two development environments.
Intel-Based Macs, Xcode Guides 2006-10-26
GCC Porting Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Provides guidance on how to migrate projects to new GCC releases.
Compiling & Debugging, Intel-Based Macs Guides 2006-10-03
Performance Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the factors that determine performance.
Performance Guides 2006-10-03
Software Delivery Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to distribute and install Mac OS X software using PackageMaker and Installer.
Files & Software Installation Guides 2006-07-24
C++ Runtime Environment Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Provides information about how to create and deploy C++ binaries.
Compiling & Debugging Guides 2006-06-28
Code Size Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for reducing the size of an application binary.
Performance Guides 2006-06-28
Memory Usage Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the performance of memory-related code.
Performance Guides 2006-06-28
Jar Bundler User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Conceptual information and a tutorial about deploying JAR-based applications as Mac OS X application bundles.
Compiling & Debugging, Java Guides 2006-05-23
AppleScript Studio Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to create script-driven applications with complex user interfaces based on Cocoa UI classes. Includes tutorials.
Scripting & Automation Guides 2006-04-04
Drawing Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the speed of drawing code.
Graphics & Imaging Guides 2006-04-04
Launch Time Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the launch performance of an application.
Performance Guides 2006-04-04
Bundle Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Core Foundation bundle objects to organize resources.
Files & Software Installation Guides 2005-11-09
WebObjects J2EE Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to develop J2EE components using WebObjects and deploy WebObjects applications inside servlet containers.
WebObjects Guides 2005-08-11
WebObjects XML Serialization Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to serialize objects and data into XML documents.
WebObjects Guides 2005-08-11
Code Speed Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the performance and efficiency of code.
Performance Guides 2005-07-07
File-System Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the performance of file-related code.
Performance Guides 2005-07-07
Java for WebObjects Developers (PDF)
Introduces Java concepts and terms to WebObjects developers. Includes exercises for developing Java expertise in WebObjects.
WebObjects Guides 2003-05-27
Packaging UNIX Software (HTML)
Explains how to post UNIX and other command-line tools to Apple's Macintosh Product Guide.
Darwin Guides 2001-04-20
Xcode Build Setting Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the build settings used in the Xcode build system to compile source code and produce binary files.
Compiling & Debugging, Xcode Reference 2009-03-04
Dashboard Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for implementing Dashboard widgets.
Dashcode Reference 2009-02-04
Mac OS X ABI Mach-O File Format Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the data structures that make up the Mach-O file format.
Darwin Reference 2009-02-04
Mac OS X Assembler Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the syntax, directives, and specific options required for the Mac OS X assembler.
Compiling & Debugging Reference 2009-01-07
Distribution Definition Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the schema of distribution definition files.
Files & Software Installation Reference 2009-01-06
IBDocument Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an Interface Builder document, which visually represents a nib file.
Interface Builder Reference 2009-01-06
Xcode User Default Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the user defaults developers can use to customize Xcode behavior.
Xcode Reference 2009-01-06
Installer JavaScript Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the JavaScript object model used in distribution definition files.
Files & Software Installation Reference 2008-12-16
WebObjects 5.4.2 Reference (HTML)
Describes the WebObjects 5.4.2 Java classes.
WebObjects Reference 2008-10-15
GNU Make (HTML)
Documentation of the GNU make utility.
Compiling & Debugging Reference 2008-06-19
Libtool (HTML)
Documentation for GNU Libtool.
Compiling & Debugging Reference 2008-06-19
Netwide Assembler Guide (HTML)
Describes the Netwide Assembler for Intel-based Macs.
Compiling & Debugging, Darwin Reference 2008-06-19
STABS Debug Format (HTML)
Open-source document that explains the STABS format of symbolic debugging information.
Compiling & Debugging Reference 2008-06-19
Mac OS X Man Pages (HTML)
HTML versions of the Mac OS X, Mac OS X Server, Xcode Tools, and CHUD man pages.
Darwin Reference 2008-04-29
CPlusTest Reference (HTML)
Describes the CPlusTest framework, which provides an API for creating unit tests for C and C++ code.
Xcode Reference 2008-04-08
WebObjects 5.4.1 Reference (HTML)
Describes the WebObjects 5.4.1 classes in Javadoc format.
WebObjects Reference 2008-03-11
GNU C 4.2 Preprocessor User Guide (HTML)
Describes the Apple version of the GNU C 4.2 Preprocessor.
Compiling & Debugging, Darwin Reference 2008-01-23
GNU C/C++/Objective-C 4.2.1 Compiler User Guide (HTML)
Describes the Apple version of the GNU 4.2.1 compiler.
Compiling & Debugging, Darwin, Intel-Based Macs Reference 2008-01-23
AppleScript Studio Terminology Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the scripting terminology for AppleScript Studio, through version 1.4.
Scripting & Automation Reference 2007-10-31
GNU C 4.0 Preprocessor User Guide (HTML)
Describes the Apple version of the GNU C 4.0 Preprocessor.
Compiling & Debugging, Darwin Reference 2007-10-31
GNU C/C++/Objective-C 4.0.1 Compiler User Guide (HTML)
Describes the Apple version of the GNU 4.0.1 compiler.
Compiling & Debugging, Darwin, Intel-Based Macs Reference 2007-10-31
GNU macro processor (HTML)
Documentation on the GNU macro processor.
Compiling & Debugging Reference 2007-10-31
WebObjects 5.4 Reference (HTML)
Describes the WebObjects 5.4 classes in Javadoc format.
WebObjects Reference 2007-10-31
IBInspector Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for managing inspector views in Interface Builder.
Interface Builder Reference 2007-07-11
NSObject Interface Builder Kit Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes additions, used by Interface Builder plug-ins, for inspecting objects.
Interface Builder Reference 2007-05-10
NSView Interface Builder Kit Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes additions, used by Interface Builder plug-ins, for manipulating views.
Interface Builder Reference 2007-05-10
Interface Builder Kit Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for implementing Interface Builder plug-ins.
Interface Builder Reference 2007-04-18
IBPlugin Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for managing plug-ins in Interface Builder.
Interface Builder Reference 2007-04-02
Interface Builder Kit Constants Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the constants declared in the Interface Builder Kit framework.
Interface Builder Reference 2007-04-02
Interface Builder Kit Data Types Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the data types declared in the Interface Builder Kit framework.
Interface Builder Reference 2007-04-02
WebObjects Dynamic Elements Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the WebObjects dynamic elements.
WebObjects Reference 2006-01-10
Mac OS X ABI Dynamic Loader Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the functions used to access Mach-O files.
Compiling & Debugging Reference 2005-11-09
WebObjects Extensions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the WebObjects extensions, a special set of dynamic elements.
WebObjects Reference 2004-12-02
GDB Quick Reference (PDF)
Printable quick reference card.
Compiling & Debugging Reference
GNU C/C++/Objective-C 3.3 Compiler (HTML)
Explains how to use the GNU compilers from the command line.
Compiling & Debugging, Darwin Reference
Dynamic Loader Release Notes (HTML)
Updated for Mac OS X v10.5.
Compiling & Debugging, Darwin Release Notes 2009-03-04
Xcode Release Notes (HTML)
Lists changes to Xcode.
Xcode Release Notes 2008-11-19
Dashcode 2.0 Release Notes (HTML)
Explains key features, known issues, and workarounds for Dashcode 2.0.
Dashcode Release Notes 2008-09-09
Interface Builder 3.1.1 Release Notes (HTML)
Describes configuration changes, bug fixes, and newly reported issues since Interface Builder 3.1.
Xcode Release Notes 2008-09-09
LLVM-GCC Release Notes (HTML)
Lists changes to LLVM-GCC technology.
Compiling & Debugging, Xcode Release Notes 2008-09-09
Interface Builder 3.1 Release Notes (HTML)
Updated for Interface Builder 3.1
Interface Builder Release Notes 2008-05-30
ld Release Notes for Xcode 3.1 (HTML)
Xcode Release Notes 2008-05-29
Interface Builder 3.0 Release Notes (HTML)
Interface Builder Release Notes 2008-03-05
AppleScript Studio 1.4 Release Notes (HTML)
Moving Tiger AppleScript Studio Release Notes to separate document.
Scripting & Automation Release Notes 2007-12-22
WebObjects 5.4 Release Notes (HTML) (PDF)
Information about known issues and workarounds for WebObjects Release 5.4.
WebObjects Release Notes 2007-12-11
AppleScript Studio Release Notes (HTML)
Describes late-breaking news and highlights of new or changed features in the latest release of AppleScript Studio.
Scripting & Automation Release Notes 2007-10-31
Automator Release Notes (HTML)
Updated for changes in Mac OS X version 10.5.
Scripting & Automation Release Notes 2007-10-31
GCC 4 Release Notes (HTML)
Updated for Xcode 3.0
Compiling & Debugging Release Notes 2007-10-31
Terminal 2 Release Notes (HTML)
Describes new features of the Terminal application in Mac OS X 10.5.
Xcode Release Notes 2007-10-31
Symbol Variants Release Notes (HTML)
Describes symbol variants, a way of providing multiple versions of symbols for backwards compatibility.
Compiling & Debugging, Darwin Release Notes 2007-10-16
GDB Release Notes (HTML)
Updated for Mac OS X v10.5
Compiling & Debugging, Xcode Release Notes 2007-05-16
Compiler Tools Release Notes (HTML)
Describes the latest changes to the Mach-O assemblers, linkers, and object file tools.
Compiling & Debugging Release Notes 2007-04-11
GCC 3 Release Notes (HTML)
Updated for Xcode 2.3
Compiling & Debugging Release Notes 2006-05-23
Malloc Debug Environment Variables Release Notes (HTML)
Performance Release Notes 2005-04-29
Birthdays (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Dashboard widget with a plug-in that queries AddressBook.framework for contacts with upcoming birthdays.
Xcode Sample Code 2008-09-10
Reminders (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Dashboard widget with a plug-in that displays upcoming iCal events, to do items, and calendars.
Dashcode Sample Code 2008-07-25
ButtonMadness (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use the various types of buttons using a nib file or programatically.
Interface Builder Sample Code 2007-10-30
CxxNewDelete (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
How to override the C++ 'new' and 'delete' operators.
Compiling & Debugging Sample Code 2006-10-03
InstallerPluginSample (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Provides instructions for extending software installation using custom plugins
Files & Software Installation Sample Code 2006-08-30
QCFundamentals (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates Coordinate, Interpolation, and Iterative systems in Quartz Composer with an amusing animation
Graphics & Imaging Sample Code 2006-08-07
QCGalaxy (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates use of Particle Systems and Core Image Filters in Quartz Composer
Graphics & Imaging Sample Code 2006-08-07
BlockAnimation (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
A bit of java code which INCORRECTLY handles animation
Java Sample Code 2006-08-01
IBFragmentView (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Illustrates building an Interface Builder plugin including a custom inspector and library integration for a custom view.
Interface Builder Sample Code 2006-08-01
iSync Sample Document (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
iSync Plug-in Maker sample document, illustrating how to build an iSync plug-in for a SyncML phone.
Syncing Sample Code 2006-08-01
Test64BitMultiprec (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Implements (PPC) A*Y+B where A & B are arrays of 64-bit words and Y is a 64-bit integer
Performance Sample Code 2006-06-09
Fractal Performance (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Three fractal applications that show various bottlenecks and how they can be fixed.
Java, Performance Sample Code 2006-04-17
MyFirstJNIProject (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
A Java application that calls the Address Book framework through the JNI
Java Sample Code 2006-04-12
simpleJavaLauncher (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
How to launch 1.4.x and future JVM's from a Core Foundation tool.
Java Sample Code 2006-04-12
WcharDataFormatter (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
An example of how to write a custom data formatter.
Xcode Sample Code 2006-03-31
MachPortDump (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Dumps out the Mach port name space of a process; useful when debugging port right leaks.
Compiling & Debugging Sample Code 2005-08-10
AppearanceSampleUpdated (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Sample Code for the WWDC 402 Adopting Xcode Hands-on session.
Xcode Sample Code 2005-06-27
SDKExample (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to weak-link against the Carbon framework in various SDKs to adopt new OS features in a single executable.
Xcode Sample Code 2005-06-06
TemperatureTester (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to add a simple Unit Test to Temperature Converter.
Xcode Sample Code 2005-06-06
UpdateXcodeSubprojects (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Updates all subprojects of an Xcode project to Xcode 2.1 format. Illustrates scripting techniques.
Scripting & Automation, WebObjects, Xcode Sample Code 2005-06-06
XcodeClientServer (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to manage multiple projects using new Xcode features.
Xcode Sample Code 2005-06-06
Installer Tiger Examples (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
A walkthrough of using distribution scripts and other Tiger Installer features.
Files & Software Installation Sample Code 2005-06-01
ManagedObjectDataFormatter (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
A Data Formatter for Xcode 2.0 and 2.1 that displays NSManagedObject * variables.
Compiling & Debugging, Xcode Sample Code 2005-06-01
Moving To GCC 4.0 (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to fix code that GCC 3.3 accepts but GCC 4.0 doesn't.
Compiling & Debugging Sample Code 2005-06-01