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The performance of Mac OS X applications and hardware devices can be measured, evaluated, and optimized using Apple's developer tools, technologies, and programming interfaces. Developers can fine-tune their applications for high performance using tools such as the Shark code-profiling application, features such as multiprocessing, and APIs such as the one for the vDSP library.

A guided introduction to improving performance in Mac OS X software.   Essential information for improving the performance of developer applications.   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.
Carbon 2007-12-11
Code Size Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for reducing the size of an application binary.
Carbon 2006-06-28
Code Speed Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the performance and efficiency of code.
Carbon 2005-07-07
Debugging Programming Topics for Core Foundation (HTML) (PDF)
Tips and techniques for debugging Core Foundation code.
Carbon 2003-01-17
File-System Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the performance of file-related code.
Carbon 2005-07-07
Launch Time Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the launch performance of an application.
Carbon 2006-04-04
Memory Usage Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the performance of memory-related code.
Carbon 2006-06-28
Threading Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use threads in Cocoa applications.
Carbon 2008-02-08
Cocoa Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the performance of Cocoa applications.
Cocoa 2005-08-11
Code Size Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for reducing the size of an application binary.
Cocoa 2006-06-28
Code Speed Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the performance and efficiency of code.
Cocoa 2005-07-07
Debugging Cocoa Applications (HTML) (PDF)
Tips and techniques for debugging Cocoa applications.
Cocoa 2002-11-12
File-System Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the performance of file-related code.
Cocoa 2005-07-07
Launch Time Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the launch performance of an application.
Cocoa 2006-04-04
Memory Usage Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the performance of memory-related code.
Cocoa 2006-06-28
Threading Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use threads in Cocoa applications.
Cocoa 2008-02-08
Memory Usage Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the performance of memory-related code.
Core Foundation 2006-06-28
Threading Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use threads in Cocoa applications.
Core Foundation 2008-02-08
64-Bit Transition Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the 64-bit features available in Mac OS X.
Darwin 2008-04-08
Performance Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the factors that determine performance.
General 2006-10-03
PowerPC Numerics (PDF)
Describes the Mac OS X numerics environment for implementing IEEE standards 754 and C99.
General 2004-01-22
Drawing Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the speed of drawing code.
Graphics & Imaging 2006-04-04
vImage Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use the C programming interface for high-speed vector image processing.
Graphics & Imaging 2008-10-15
I/O Kit Fundamentals (HTML) (PDF)
The basics of developing device drivers. Includes descriptions of I/O Kit families.
Hardware & Drivers 2007-05-17
Memory Usage Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the performance of memory-related code.
Hardware & Drivers 2006-06-28
64-Bit Transition Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the 64-bit features available in Mac OS X.
High Performance Computing 2008-04-08
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.
High Performance Computing 2009-02-04
Xgrid Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to create client applications that use Xgrid, Apple's parallel multiprocessing technology.
High Performance Computing 2007-10-31
Xsan Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes managing files and storage pools with Xsan.
High Performance Computing 2006-05-23
AltiVec/SSE Migration Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to convert PowerPC AltiVec code to Intel SSE code.
Intel-Based Macs 2005-09-08
GCC Porting Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Provides guidance on how to migrate projects to new GCC releases.
Intel-Based Macs 2006-10-03
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 2009-02-04
Threading Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use threads in Cocoa applications.
Multiprocessing 2008-02-08
Xgrid Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to create client applications that use Xgrid, Apple's parallel multiprocessing technology.
Multiprocessing 2007-10-31
Deploying Mac OS X Server for High Performance Computing (PDF)
Explains how to configure Mac OS X Server for computational clustering.
Storage 2005-10-04
File-System Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the performance of file-related code.
Storage 2005-07-07
Xsan 2 Administrator's Guide (PDF)
Explains how to set up and manage Xsan volumes in a storage area network.
Storage 2008-06-09
Xsan 2 Setup Guide (PDF)
Explains how to set up a volume on a storage area network (SAN) using Xsan 2.
Storage 2008-06-09
Xsan Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes managing files and storage pools with Xsan.
Storage 2006-05-23
Code Size Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for reducing the size of an application binary.
Tools 2006-06-28
Code Speed Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the performance and efficiency of code.
Tools 2005-07-07
File-System Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the performance of file-related code.
Tools 2005-07-07
Launch Time Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the launch performance of an application.
Tools 2006-04-04
Memory Usage Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the performance of memory-related code.
Tools 2006-06-28
Shark User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to analyze code performance by profiling the system.
Tools 2008-04-14
Xcode Debugging Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Xcode debugging facilities and the recommended debugging techniques.
Tools 2009-01-06
AltiVec/SSE Migration Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to convert PowerPC AltiVec code to Intel SSE code.
Vector Engines 2005-09-08