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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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AppearanceSampleUpdated (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Sample Code for the WWDC 402 Adopting Xcode Hands-on session.
Xcode Sample Code 2005-06-27
Apple JavaScript Coding Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Provides an overview of the JavaScript language, its object-oriented features, and coding best practices.
Dashcode, Files & Software Installation, Scripting & Automation Guides 2008-11-19
AppleScript Studio 1.4 Release Notes (HTML)
Moving Tiger AppleScript Studio Release Notes to separate document.
Scripting & Automation Release Notes 2007-12-22
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
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
AppleScript Studio Terminology Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the scripting terminology for AppleScript Studio, through version 1.4.
Scripting & Automation Reference 2007-10-31
Automatically starting and stopping application instances without using Monitor (HTML)
QA1064: Describes how to use WebObjects' monitor utility to stop and start application instances.
WebObjects Technical Q&As 2001-07-25
Automating Development Tasks with Automator and Xcode (HTML)
Learn to streamline daily tasks in your development projects using Automator.
Scripting & Automation, Xcode Articles 2006-08-07
Automator Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the concepts and tasks for developing actions, which are bundles loaded by the Automator application.
Scripting & Automation Guides 2007-12-11
Automator Release Notes (HTML)
Updated for changes in Mac OS X version 10.5.
Scripting & Automation Release Notes 2007-10-31
Big Top User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to monitor the use of resources on Macintosh computers, locally and over a network.
Performance Guides 2007-10-31
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
BlockAnimation (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
A bit of java code which INCORRECTLY handles animation
Java Sample Code 2006-08-01
Boinx Starts with Sample Code: FotoMagico Is a Powerful Digital Slideshow (HTML)
Starting with Apple sample code, tools and technologies, Boinx wrote FotoMagico in a matter of months.
General Articles 2007-12-11
Bug Reporting Best Practices (HTML)
Provides information regarding the best means in which to file a bug report.
Compiling & Debugging Articles 2007-05-25
Building a JNI Universal Application with Xcode (HTML)
Learn to add Mac OS X features into your Java application using JNI and Xcode.
Java Articles 2006-03-20
Building Objective-C static libraries with categories (HTML)
QA1490: Describes how to properly build Objective-C static libraries that contain categories on existing classes.
Compiling & Debugging Technical Q&As 2006-10-03
Bundle Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Core Foundation bundle objects to organize resources.
Files & Software Installation Guides 2005-11-09
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
C++ Runtime Environment Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Provides information about how to create and deploy C++ binaries.
Compiling & Debugging Guides 2006-06-28
C++ Tips and Tricks for Mac OS X (HTML)
TN2185: Tips and tricks for beginning to advanced C++ programmers on Mac OS X.
Compiling & Debugging, Xcode Technical Notes 2007-05-25
Can't attach during two-machine debugging with GDB (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
Deprecated - QA1019: Describes a workaround for a problem attaching during two-machine debugging on Mac OS X 10.0.x.
Compiling & Debugging Technical Q&As 2003-06-02
CFBundleIdentifier and user application access (HTML)
QA1373: Describes the role of CFBundleIdentifier in limiting a user's application access.
Xcode Technical Q&As 2005-02-08
Changing the TCP Window Size (HTML)
NW47: Describes how to change the TCP window size in Open Transport.
Performance Technical Q&As 1997-03-14
Cocoa Application Tutorial (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to build a simple Cocoa application using Xcode.
Xcode Guides 2007-10-31
Cocoa Application Tutorial Using Bindings (HTML) (PDF)
A hands-on introduction to Cocoa bindings.
Xcode Guides 2007-07-10
Code Signing Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how you can sign your code and why you should.
Files & Software Installation Guides 2008-11-19
Code Size Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for reducing the size of an application binary.
Performance Guides 2006-06-28
Code Speed Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the performance and efficiency of code.
Performance Guides 2005-07-07
Common QA and Roadmap for USB Software Development on Mac OS X (HTML)
QA1370: Roadmap for development of USB Software on Mac OS X and some Common Questions and Answers
Performance Technical Q&As 2006-02-28
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
Connecting the Font Menu in Interface Builder 3 (HTML)
QA1571: How to connect and configure the Font/Format menus in Interface Builder 3.
Interface Builder Technical Q&As 2008-01-21
Correcting a PackageMaker version.plist and BundleVersions.plist problem (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1281: Describes how to correct a PackageMaker version.plist and BundleVersions.plist problem.
Files & Software Installation Technical Q&As 2003-08-25
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
CrashReporter (HTML)
TN2123: Describes CrashReporter and how to debug with crash logs.
Compiling & Debugging Technical Notes 2008-04-01
Creating a Managed Object Model with Xcode (HTML) (PDF)
A tutorial that shows how to create a Core Data managed object model using Xcode.
Xcode Guides 2007-08-07
Creating install packages from the command line (HTML)
QA1284: Describes how to create install packages from the command line.
Files & Software Installation Technical Q&As 2007-01-22
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
Customizing Rails Applications on Mac OS X Leopard (HTML)
Learn how to enhance your Rails application with views and web forms, AJAX, and iPhone support.
General, Scripting & Automation, Xcode Articles 2008-06-09
CxxNewDelete (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
How to override the C++ 'new' and 'delete' operators.
Compiling & Debugging Sample Code 2006-10-03
Dashboard Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Explains Dashboard and WebKit technologies used in widgets.
Dashcode Guides 2009-02-04
Dashboard Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for implementing Dashboard widgets.
Dashcode Reference 2009-02-04
Dashcode 2.0 Release Notes (HTML)
Explains key features, known issues, and workarounds for Dashcode 2.0.
Dashcode Release Notes 2008-09-09
Dashcode User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Dashcode to create Dashboard widgets.
Dashcode, Scripting & Automation Guides 2009-03-04
Debugging a WebKit Plug-in in Xcode (HTML)
QA1500: Directions for debugging a WebKit plug-in in Xcode.
Compiling & Debugging Technical Q&As 2007-06-05
Debugging An Authorization Plug-In With Xcode (HTML)
TN2108: A tutorial on how to use Xcode to debug an authorization plug-in.
Compiling & Debugging, Xcode Technical Notes 2008-09-08
Debugging and Symbolizing Crash Dumps in Xcode (HTML)
Learn to use crash logs to find those difficult bugs.
Xcode Articles 2007-04-03
Debugging arbitrary applications with Xcode (HTML)
QA1305: Debugging an application with Xcode without requiring the project that built the application.
Xcode Technical Q&As 2003-09-15
Debugging NSTableView's "Action Invocation" binding (HTML)
QA1472: Discusses the issues and factors that affect NSTableView's "Action Invocation" binding.
Interface Builder Technical Q&As 2006-11-13
Debugging Process Startup (HTML)
QA1573: Describes techniques for debugging a process's startup code.
Compiling & Debugging Technical Q&As 2007-12-21
Debugging with GDB (HTML)
Open-source document that explains how to use GDB to debug programs.
Compiling & Debugging Guides 2008-06-19
Deploying Rails Applications on Mac OS X Leopard (HTML)
Learn how to deploy your Ruby on Rails application on Mac OS X Leopard Server.
General, Scripting & Automation, Xcode Articles 2008-06-09
Deprecated CALL_ON_[UN]LOAD pragmas (HTML)
QA1429: Replace deprecated CALL_ON_[UN]LOAD pragmas with constructor [destructor] function attributes.
Compiling & Debugging, Xcode Technical Q&As 2006-01-10
Detecting the Debugger (HTML)
QA1361: Shows how to determine whether you're being run under the debugger.
Compiling & Debugging Technical Q&As 2004-10-27
Developing for Java with NetBeans 4.1 on Mac OS X (HTML)
Get started building Java applications on Mac OS X using this popular open source IDE.
Java Articles 2005-05-16
Developing Java Applications on Mac OS X with Eclipse (HTML)
Learn from this hands-on article how to work with Eclipse on Mac OS X.
Java Articles 2005-02-28
Developing Rails Applications on Mac OS X Leopard (HTML)
Learn how to develop your Ruby on Rails application using Xcode 3 and the tools in Leopard.
General, Scripting & Automation, Xcode Articles 2008-06-09
Developing with ZeroLink: small applications and launching on other computers (HTML)
QA1322: Resolving issues caused by the ZeroLink feature in Xcode.
Xcode Technical Q&As 2003-10-31
Disabling Processor Cores on a Multi-Core System (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1141: Describes how to disable processor cores on a multi-core system for testing purposes.
Compiling & Debugging, Performance Technical Q&As 2008-09-16
Distribution Definition Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the schema of distribution definition files.
Files & Software Installation Reference 2009-01-06
Documentation Set Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to integrate third-party documentation with the Xcode Documentation window.
Files & Software Installation, Xcode Guides 2009-01-06
Documentation updater for Project Builder shipping with Mac OS X 10.2 (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1207: Updating Project Builder to find new symbols, including the Bluetooth framework under Mac OS X.
Xcode Technical Q&As 2002-10-25
Drawing Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the speed of drawing code.
Graphics & Imaging Guides 2006-04-04
Dynamic Library Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to design, implement, and use dynamic libraries.
Compiling & Debugging Guides 2009-02-26
Dynamic Loader Release Notes (HTML)
Updated for Mac OS X v10.5.
Compiling & Debugging, Darwin Release Notes 2009-03-04
'dynamic shared library not made a weak library in output with MACOSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET...' bug (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1233: Why 'ld' may give a warning about the Mac OS X_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET environment variable and its failure to weak link.
Compiling & Debugging, Xcode Technical Q&As 2003-04-01
Eclipse and Mac OS X: a Natural Combination (HTML)
Learn about the Eclipse IDE on Mac OS X and how to get started using it.
Java Articles 2004-06-07
Ensuring Backwards Binary Compatibility - Weak Linking and Availability Macros on Mac OS X (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
TN2064: Ensuring that Mach-O applications built using today's Mac OS X runs on previous versions of the OS.
Performance Technical Notes 2003-02-18
File System Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Conceptual information and guidelines describing the structure and usage of the Mac OS X file system.
Files & Software Installation Guides 2008-07-11
File-System Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the performance of file-related code.
Performance Guides 2005-07-07
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
Framework Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Conceptual information and guidelines on how to create a framework.
Xcode Guides 2006-11-07
FrontBase and JDBC (HTML)
QA1041: Describes an alternative to using the JDBC adaptor with FrontBase for WebObjects 5.0.
WebObjects Technical Q&As 2001-07-09
GCC 3 Release Notes (HTML)
Updated for Xcode 2.3
Compiling & Debugging Release Notes 2006-05-23
GCC 4 Release Notes (HTML)
Updated for Xcode 3.0
Compiling & Debugging Release Notes 2007-10-31
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
GDB for MacsBug Veterans (HTML)
TN2030: Translate your experience with MacsBug into a working knowledge of the GNU source-level debugger (GDB).
Compiling & Debugging, Performance Technical Notes 2001-10-18
GDB Internals (HTML)
Open-source document that explains the GDB implementation.
Compiling & Debugging Guides 2008-06-19
GDB Quick Reference (PDF)
Printable quick reference card.
Compiling & Debugging Reference
GDB Release Notes (HTML)
Updated for Mac OS X v10.5
Compiling & Debugging, Xcode Release Notes 2007-05-16
Generating a Non-Maskable Interrupt (NMI) (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1264: Explains how to generate a non-maskable interrupt (NMI) on modern Macintosh systems.
Compiling & Debugging Technical Q&As 2008-10-13
Getting Control with Subversion and Xcode (HTML)
Learn how to install and set up Subversion on Mac OS X Server.
Source Control, Xcode Articles 2005-11-08
Getting owner and group name references for PackageMaker package contents (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1285: Describes how to get owner and group name references for PackageMaker package contents.
Files & Software Installation Technical Q&As 2003-08-25
Getting Started with GDB (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
TN2032: Explains common C, C++ and Objective-C debugging tasks using gdb, plus helpful tips and tricks.
Compiling & Debugging Technical Notes 2001-12-07
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 4.2 Preprocessor Internals (HTML)
Compiling & Debugging Guides 2008-01-23
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 3.3 Compiler (HTML)
Explains how to use the GNU compilers from the command line.
Compiling & Debugging, Darwin Reference
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 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
GNU Compiler Collection (GCC) 4.2 Internals (HTML)
Compiling & Debugging Guides 2008-01-23
GNU Compiler Collection (GCC) Internals (HTML)
Compiling & Debugging Guides 2007-12-11
The GNU Compiler Collection on Mac OS X (HTML)
Learn about the open-source tools GCC and GDB, and enhancements specific to Mac OS X.
Compiling & Debugging Articles 2004-07-12
GNU macro processor (HTML)
Documentation on the GNU macro processor.
Compiling & Debugging Reference 2007-10-31
GNU Make (HTML)
Documentation of the GNU make utility.
Compiling & Debugging Reference 2008-06-19
HeaderDoc User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to extract API reference documentation from commented header files.
Darwin, Xcode Guides 2008-04-08
Help Book Caching During Software Development (HTML)
QA1409: Development situations that can potentially confuse Help Viewer
Files & Software Installation, Java Technical Q&As 2005-03-30
How can I get both Subversion (SVN) and CVS on Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)? (HTML)
QA1492: Explains where to find Subversion and CVS for installation.
Source Control, Xcode Technical Q&As 2007-11-15
How do I access files contained in my AppleScript Studio application's main bundle? (HTML)
QA1493: Explains how to access files stored within an AppleScript Studio application.
Scripting & Automation, Xcode Technical Q&As 2007-02-05
How do I use asserts while debugging? (HTML)
QA1431: How do I enable asserts so they log their messages and/or break when I'm debugging?
Compiling & Debugging, Xcode Technical Q&As 2006-06-30