Jump To:
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.  
Document Descriptions
On Off
Display

Sort by
Title
Sorted by
Topic
Sort by
Resource Type
Sort by
Date
Documentation Set Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to integrate third-party documentation with the Xcode Documentation window.
Files & Software Installation Guides 2009-01-06
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
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
Help Book Caching During Software Development (HTML)
QA1409: Development situations that can potentially confuse Help Viewer
Files & Software Installation Technical Q&As 2005-03-30
Installer JavaScript Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the JavaScript object model used in distribution definition files.
Files & Software Installation Reference 2008-12-16
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
InstallerPluginSample (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Provides instructions for extending software installation using custom plugins
Files & Software Installation Sample Code 2006-08-30
Installing Your Application on Mac OS X: Guidelines for Developers (HTML)
Get tips for making the installation process easier for you and your customers.
Files & Software Installation Articles 2005-06-13
Mac OS X v10.1 (HTML)
TN2029: Updated list of APIs for Mac OS X 10.1.
Files & Software Installation Technical Notes 2001-10-15
PackageMaker User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to use PackageMaker to create installation packages.
Files & Software Installation Guides 2009-01-06
PackageMaker's NeedsAuthorization value causes install to fail (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1283: Provides a workaround when PackageMaker's NeedsAuthorization value causes a Mac OS X 10.1 installation failure.
Files & Software Installation Technical Q&As 2003-08-25
Runtime Configuration Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Conceptual and reference information for dynamically configuring your software.
Files & Software Installation Guides 2008-07-08
Setting default open Finder window (HTML)
QA1449: How to set the default Finder window to open when a disk is mounted
Files & Software Installation Technical Q&As 2006-01-03
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
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
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 Articles 2008-06-09
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 Articles 2008-06-09
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 Articles 2008-06-09
iSync Manual Test Suite Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the suite of manual test cases that plug-in developers should run before shipping their product.
General Guides 2007-07-11
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 Guides 2007-07-10
Leopard Technology Series for Developers: Objective-C 2.0 Overview (HTML)
Describes features and capabilities introduced in Objective-C 2.0.
General Articles 2007-12-11
The Objective-C 2.0 Programming Language (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces object-oriented programming and describes the main programming language used for Cocoa development.
General Guides 2009-05-06
Using Doxygen to Create Xcode Documentation Sets (HTML)
Learn how to integrate your documentation into Xcode.
General Articles 2008-06-09
Xcode Quick Tour for Mac OS X (HTML) (PDF)
Provides a hands-on introduction to Xcode, Apple's comprehensive suite of software development tools for Mac OS X.
General Guides 2008-10-15
Drawing Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the speed of drawing code.
Graphics & Imaging Guides 2006-04-04
Leopard Technology Series for Developers: Graphics & Media Overview (HTML)
Describes Leopard's graphics and media capabilities.
Graphics & Imaging Articles 2007-12-11
OpenGL Driver Monitor User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to view the properties supported by the OpenGL drivers available on the system.
Graphics & Imaging Guides 2008-02-08
OpenGL Profiler User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to assess the efficiency of an OpenGL application.
Graphics & Imaging Guides 2008-02-08
OpenGL Shader Builder User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use OpenGL Shader Builder to develop and test GPU programs.
Graphics & Imaging Guides 2008-06-23
OpenGL Tools for Serious Graphics Development (HTML)
Learn how Apple's best-of-breed OpenGL tools help developers locate, analyze, and debug graphics bottlenecks.
Graphics & Imaging Articles 2004-02-02
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
Quartz Composer User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use the Quartz Composer development tool to create motion graphics compositions.
Graphics & Imaging Guides 2007-07-17
Quartz Composer WWDC 2005 Composition (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to build a parameterized motion graphics composition with Quartz Composer.
Graphics & Imaging Sample Code 2005-06-01
What is the Timebase submenu available in the contextual menu of some patches in Quartz Composer? (HTML)
QA1427: Describes the timebase system used by patches in Quartz Composer.
Graphics & Imaging Technical Q&As 2005-06-15
GCC Porting Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Provides guidance on how to migrate projects to new GCC releases.
Intel-Based Macs Guides 2006-10-03
GNU C/C++/Objective-C 4.0.1 Compiler User Guide (HTML)
Describes the Apple version of the GNU 4.0.1 compiler.
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.
Intel-Based Macs Reference 2008-01-23
Mac OS X ABI Function Call Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the function-calling conventions used in the architectures supported by Mac OS X.
Intel-Based Macs Guides 2009-02-04
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 Guides 2006-10-26
Universal Binary Programming Guidelines, Second Edition (HTML) (PDF)
Conceptual information and tips for writing code that runs on PowerPC-based and Intel-based Macintosh computers.
Intel-Based Macs Guides 2009-02-04
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
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
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
How to work around HIMovieViewCreate failing (HTML)
QA1417: Describes how to work around HIMovieViewCreate failing to initialize the view in QuickTime 7
Interface Builder Technical Q&As 2008-03-11
IBDocument Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an Interface Builder document, which visually represents a nib file.
Interface Builder Reference 2009-01-06
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
IBInspector Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for managing inspector views in Interface Builder.
Interface Builder Reference 2007-07-11
IBPlugin Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for managing plug-ins in Interface Builder.
Interface Builder Reference 2007-04-02
Including a custom NSWindow in a nib file (HTML)
QA1511: Shows how to create a custom NSWindow and instantiate it in a nib file.
Interface Builder Technical Q&As 2007-03-21
Interface Builder 3.0 Release Notes (HTML)
Interface Builder Release Notes 2008-03-05
Interface Builder 3.1 Release Notes (HTML)
Updated for Interface Builder 3.1
Interface Builder Release Notes 2008-05-30
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
Interface Builder Kit Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for implementing Interface Builder plug-ins.
Interface Builder Reference 2007-04-18
Interface Builder Plug-In Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the process for creating custom Interface Builder palettes.
Interface Builder Guides 2007-07-18
Interface Builder User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Conceptual information and tasks explaining how to use the Interface Builder application to design user interfaces.
Interface Builder Guides 2008-11-19
Interface element identification in Interface Builder (HTML)
QA1323: Describes a way to easily visually identify interface elements in a nib file.
Interface Builder Technical Q&As 2006-10-06
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
Sproing (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how "springs" work to control view resizing behavior.
Interface Builder Sample Code 2003-05-20
BlockAnimation (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
A bit of java code which INCORRECTLY handles animation
Java Sample Code 2006-08-01
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
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
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
Fractal Performance (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Three fractal applications that show various bottlenecks and how they can be fixed.
Java Sample Code 2006-04-17
Help Book Caching During Software Development (HTML)
QA1409: Development situations that can potentially confuse Help Viewer
Java Technical Q&As 2005-03-30
Jar Bundler User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Conceptual information and a tutorial about deploying JAR-based applications as Mac OS X application bundles.
Java Guides 2006-05-23
Java on Intel-based Macs (HTML)
QA1295: Required changes (if any) for Java applications to run on Intel-based Macs.
Java Technical Q&As 2006-10-17
JDragNDrop (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Deprecated - Demonstrates building a simple view to implement Drag-and-Drop functionality in Cocoa-Java.
Java Sample Code 2003-01-14
JNI Development on Mac OS X (HTML)
TN2147: Discusses use of native APIs and UI elements from Java applications
Java Technical Notes 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
Server-Side Java with the Struts Framework on Mac OS X (HTML)
Learn how to combine such things as Servlets, JSP, and custom Struts tag libraries using Struts.
Java Articles 2003-07-17
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
UnsupportedClassVersionError With J2SE 5.0 Release 4 (HTML)
QA1474: Explains problems running existing Xcode projects after upgrading to J2SE 5.0 Release 4
Java Technical Q&As 2006-04-14
Using Oracle JDeveloper on Mac OS (HTML)
This article introduces you to JDeveloper 10g and includes a tutorial for building a simple application.
Java Articles 2004-12-06
Using Sun Java Studio Creator 2 on Mac OS X (HTML)
Learn to use the tool that provides visual access to databases and web services.
Java Articles 2004-11-15
Internationalization Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to support multiple languages in software.
Localization Guides 2009-01-06
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
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
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
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.
Performance Technical Q&As 2008-09-16
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 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.
Performance Sample Code 2006-04-17
GDB for MacsBug Veterans (HTML)
TN2030: Translate your experience with MacsBug into a working knowledge of the GNU source-level debugger (GDB).
Performance Technical Notes 2001-10-18
Improving Your Software with Xcode andStatic Code Analysis Techniques (HTML)
Learn about static analysis and get started using it with an Xcode project.
Performance Articles 2006-07-10
Instruments User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Instruments application and explains how to use it to examine program behavior.
Performance Guides 2008-10-15
Launch Time Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the launch performance of an application.
Performance Guides 2006-04-04
Malloc Debug Environment Variables Release Notes (HTML)
Performance Release Notes 2005-04-29
Maximizing Mac OS X Application Performance (HTML)
Learn how to achieve better performance on Mac OS X.
Performance Articles 2003-06-23
Memory Usage Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the performance of memory-related code.
Performance Guides 2006-06-28
Optimizing with Shark: Big Payoff, Small Effort (HTML)
Learn to improve your application's performance by sampling a real application using Shark.
Performance Articles 2004-01-19
Optimizing Your Application with System Trace in Shark 4 (HTML)
See how your code interacts with Mac OS X using the power of Shark.
Performance Articles 2006-01-30
Optimizing Your Applications with Shark 4 (HTML)
Learn how using Shark 4 can help you dramatically improve performance in your application.
Performance Articles 2004-11-08
Performance Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the factors that determine performance.
Performance Guides 2006-10-03
Saturn 4.5 User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to analyze a program's function-calling structure.
Performance Guides 2007-10-31