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Carbon is a set of C APIs offering developers an advanced user interface tool kit, event handling, the Quartz 2D graphics library, and multiprocessing support. Developers have access to other C and C++ APIs, including the OpenGL drawing system and the Mach microkernel.

A guided introduction and learning path for developers new to Carbon.   Essential information for developers using procedural C.   C API references organized by framework.
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64-Bit Guide for Carbon Developers (HTML) (PDF)
Explains the changes necessary to create a 64-bit executable version of a Carbon application.
Design Guidelines, Performance, Porting 2007-12-11
Accessibility Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use the accessibility features built into Mac OS X.
Accessibility 2008-03-11
Accessibility Programming Guidelines for Carbon (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to access-enable Carbon applications.
Accessibility, Design Guidelines, User Experience 2007-02-08
Address Book Programming Guide for Mac OS X (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to add, search, remove, and customize Address Book records.
Apple Applications 2006-04-04
AltiVec/SSE Migration Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to convert PowerPC AltiVec code to Intel SSE code.
Intel-Based Macs 2005-09-08
Animation Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the animation facilities provided by Mac OS X.
Games, Graphics & Imaging 2008-10-15
Apple Events Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Provides conceptual information and programming examples for working with Apple events.
Events & Other Input, Scripting & Automation 2007-10-31
Apple Help Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to author, package, and display user help content in Mac OS X.
Apple Applications, User Experience 2007-10-31
Apple Human Interface Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the Mac OS X user experience and explains how to design an application for Aqua.
Design Guidelines, User Experience 2008-06-09
Apple Type Services for Fonts Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to access fonts using the ATS-based font management API. Includes implementing the Fonts window.
Text & Fonts 2007-12-11
AppleScript Language Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Defines the AppleScript scripting language. Includes many brief sample scripts.
Interapplication Communication, Scripting & Automation 2008-03-11
AppleScript Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the technology for writing scripts to control applications. Useful for scripters and application developers.
Interapplication Communication, Scripting & Automation 2007-10-31
ATSUI Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to lay out, process, and draw Unicode text.
Internationalization, Text & Fonts 2007-07-10
Attributed Strings Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use attributed strings, which manage attributes of character strings or individual characters.
Data Management, Text & Fonts 2007-06-04
Audio Queue Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to play and record audio using Audio Queue Services.
Audio 2007-10-31
Audio Unit Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Core Audio frameworks and the Core Audio SDK to create audio units.
Audio 2007-10-31
Authorization Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to add fine-grained control of privileged operations in an application.
Security 2009-01-06
Binary Data Programming Guide for Core Foundation (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to create and use Core Foundation data objects, object-oriented wrappers for byte buffers.
Core Foundation, Data Management 2006-01-10
Bundle Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Core Foundation bundle objects to organize resources.
Core Foundation, Resource Management 2005-11-09
Carbon Event Manager Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Essential information for implementing Carbon events.
Events & Other Input 2005-07-07
Carbon Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Defines Carbon and the components of Carbon applications. Provides a whirlwind tour of Carbon APIs.
General 2005-11-09
Carbon-Cocoa Integration Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use both Carbon and Cocoa in developing an application.
Design Guidelines 2007-10-31
Certificate, Key, and Trust Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Shows how to evaluate trust for a certificate and recover from a trust failure.
Security 2008-11-19
CFNetwork Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Core Foundation networking functions to work with low-level BSD sockets.
Security 2009-05-06
Code Signing Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how you can sign your code and why you should.
Security 2008-11-19
Code Size Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for reducing the size of an application binary.
Performance 2006-06-28
Code Speed Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the performance and efficiency of code.
Performance 2005-07-07
Collections Programming Topics for Core Foundation (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to group objects in arrays, sets, or dictionaries in Core Foundation.
Core Foundation, Data Management 2003-08-07
Color Management Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces basic concepts and defines color spaces.
Graphics & Imaging 2005-07-07
Core Audio Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Provides an overview of Core Audio and its programming interfaces.
Audio 2007-01-08
Core Foundation Design Concepts (HTML) (PDF)
Explains the fundamental design concepts that underlie all Core Foundation programming interfaces.
Core Foundation 2005-08-11
Core Image Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Provides an overview and explains how to use and create image filters and image units.
Graphics & Imaging 2008-06-09
Core Text Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to do text layout and font-related operations using the Core Text programming interfaces.
Text & Fonts 2008-06-09
Creating Carbon Menus (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to create menus in Carbon applications.
Human Interface Toolbox, User Experience 2004-02-23
Creating Printing Presets for iPhoto (HTML) (PDF)
Rules for creating and installing printer-specific collections of settings. Includes a sample file.
Apple Applications, Printing 2005-07-07
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.
Tools 2006-11-07
Data Browser Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to present data in lists similar to the list and column views in the Finder.
Human Interface Toolbox, User Experience 2007-08-07
Data Formatting Guide for Core Foundation (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Core Foundation formatters to create and validate text in text fields and other cells.
Data Management 2006-12-21
Dates and Times Programming Guide for Core Foundation (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to manage Core Foundation dates and times.
Core Foundation, Data Management, Internationalization 2005-08-11
Debugging Programming Topics for Core Foundation (HTML) (PDF)
Tips and techniques for debugging Core Foundation code.
Core Foundation, Performance 2003-01-17
Debugging with GDB (HTML)
Open-source document that explains how to use GDB to debug programs.
Tools 2008-06-19
Desktop Icons (HTML)
Explains how to provide custom icons for a Carbon application and its documents.
User Experience 2002-08-19
Dictionary Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to create a dictionary and access it programmatically.
Text & Fonts 2007-05-30
Dock Tile Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to provide an icon and contextual menu in Carbon applications.
User Experience 2009-03-04
Drag Manager Programmer's Guide (PDF)
Explains how to add support for drag and drop to a Carbon application.
Interapplication Communication 1995-12-11
Drawing Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the speed of drawing code.
Performance 2006-04-04
Extending Printing Dialogs (HTML) (PDF)
A guide to developing printing dialog extensions, including basic concepts and a documented Carbon-based sample project.
Printing 2006-10-03
File System Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Conceptual information and guidelines describing the structure and usage of the Mac OS X file system.
File Management 2008-07-11
File-System Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the performance of file-related code.
Performance 2005-07-07
GCC Porting Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Provides guidance on how to migrate projects to new GCC releases.
Intel-Based Macs 2006-10-03
Handling Carbon Windows and Controls (HTML) (PDF)
A guidebook for implementing windows and controls in Carbon applications.
Human Interface Toolbox, User Experience 2005-07-07
Handling Unicode Text Editing With MLTE (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Apple's multilingual text engine.
Internationalization 2008-10-15
HIArchive Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to store data objects using HIArchive. Also includes information to make custom HIObjects archivable.
Human Interface Toolbox, Interapplication Communication, User Experience 2005-08-11
HIToolbar Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to create toolbars in Carbon applications.
Human Interface Toolbox, User Experience 2005-07-07
HIView Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes view-based controls and how to implement them in Carbon applications.
Human Interface Toolbox, User Experience 2007-10-31
Image Capture Applications Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interaction between applications programs and image capture devices such as cameras and scanners.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-05-16
Image I/O Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to read and write image data using the Image I/O framework.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-07-02
Image Unit Tutorial (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to write image processing kernels and package them for distribution.
Graphics & Imaging 2009-05-06
Interface Builder User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Conceptual information and tasks explaining how to use the Interface Builder application to design user interfaces.
Tools 2008-11-19
Internationalization Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to support multiple languages in software.
Internationalization 2009-01-06
Keychain Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
This document explains how to use Keychain Services to store and retrieve passwords.
Security 2009-03-12
Launch Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how an application can open document files, other applications, and URLs.
File Management, Interapplication Communication 2007-08-23
Launch Time Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the launch performance of an application.
Performance 2006-04-04
Locales Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use locales to retrieve, interpret, and display localized information in Core Foundation.
Internationalization 2008-10-15
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 2009-02-04
Mac OS X Printing System Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces Apple's printing architecture. Includes a road map for developing software.
Printing 2006-02-07
Managing Fonts: QuickDraw (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Explains how to use the deprecated QuickDraw-based font-management API replaced by Core Text or ATS.
Text & Fonts 2007-12-11
Memory Management Programming Guide for Core Foundation (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to allocate and deallocate objects in Core Foundation.
Core Foundation, Resource Management 2008-10-15
Memory Usage Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the performance of memory-related code.
Performance 2006-06-28
Multiprocessing Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to implement preemptive tasks in Carbon applications.
Performance, Process Management 2007-10-31
Navigation Services for Carbon: An Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces changes to the Navigation Services API for CarbonLib and Carbon in Mac OS X.
File Management, User Experience 2003-12-10
Navigation Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to provide a user interface for navigating to, opening, and saving files.
File Management, User Experience 2007-07-10
Network Services Location Manager (Legacy) (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Explains how to have a Carbon application discover available network services.
Networking 2006-05-23
Obtaining and Using Icons With Icon Services (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to obtain and display icons for a Carbon application or extension.
Human Interface Toolbox, User Experience 2003-02-01
OpenGL Extensions Guide (HTML)
Information about OpenGL functionality supported in Mac OS X.
Graphics & Imaging 2003-09-10
Pasteboard Manager Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to create and manage pasteboards in Carbon applications.
Interapplication Communication 2005-07-07
PDF Kit Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces basic PDF concepts and describes how to use PDF Kit to display PDF documents in your application.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-12-11
Performance Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the factors that determine performance.
Performance 2006-10-03
Plug-ins (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use the plug-in architecture provided by Core Foundation.
Core Foundation, Process Management, Runtime Architecture 2005-03-03
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, Porting, Tools 2006-10-26
Preferences Programming Topics for Core Foundation (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to manage Core Foundation user preferences.
Core Foundation, Data Management 2006-10-03
Programming with the Appearance Manager (HTML)
Explains how to make an application's user interface look like the Mac OS user interface.
Human Interface Toolbox, User Experience 2001-11-20
Programming With the Language Analysis Manager (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how morpholgical analysis is performed by the system.
Internationalization 2003-05-01
Programming With the Text Encoding Conversion Manager (HTML) (PDF)
Explains character encodings, Unicode conversion, and custom converter plug-ins. Lists encoding variants.
Internationalization, Text & Fonts 2005-07-07
Property List Programming Topics for Core Foundation (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use structured, textual representations of data in Core Foundation.
Core Foundation, Data Management 2006-02-07
Providing Help Tags in Carbon (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to add contextually sensitive help content to an application's user interface.
User Experience 2002-07-01
Providing PDF Workflow Options in the Print Dialog (HTML) (PDF)
Installation information and examples, including the use of Automator workflows.
Printing 2007-10-31
Quartz 2D Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Quartz 2D. Includes illustrations and sample code.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-12-11
Quartz Composer Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to used the framework to load, play, and control compositions.
Graphics & Imaging 2008-10-15
Quartz Display Services Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Shows how to configure and control display hardware using Quartz Display Services.
Graphics & Imaging 2006-06-28
Quartz Programming Guide for QuickDraw Developers (HTML) (PDF)
Provides strategies to help Carbon programmers replace QuickDraw code with Quartz.
Graphics & Imaging 2006-09-05
Quick Look Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the purporse and architecture of Quick Look generators and explains how to create them.
User Experience 2008-02-08
QuickTime Audio (HTML)
Explains how to enable recording and playback of various audio media.
Audio 2002-09-17
QuickTime Movie Basics (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces some of the basic concepts you need to understand when working with QuickTime movies.
QuickTime 2006-01-10
QuickTime Music Architecture Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to enable synthesizing and playing of sounds and musical sequences.
Audio 2006-01-10
QuickTime Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the main concepts and services of QuickTime.
QuickTime 2005-08-11
Resolution Independence Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Describes resolution independence and how to start updating applications to support high-resolution monitors.
Graphics & Imaging, User Experience 2007-05-04
Resource Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to work with nib and bundle resources in Mac OS X applications.
Resource Management 2009-01-06
Runtime Configuration Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Conceptual and reference information for dynamically configuring your software.
Design Guidelines 2008-07-08
Search Kit Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes Search Kit architecture and workflow, and how to add search capabilities to Carbon and Cocoa applications.
Data Management, Text & Fonts, User Experience 2005-12-06