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Apple's developer guides provide conceptual and task-oriented information. They include overviews, tutorials, programming guides, server administration guides, and, for developer tools, user guides.

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Handling Carbon Windows and Controls (HTML) (PDF)
A guidebook for implementing windows and controls in Carbon applications.
Carbon 2005-07-07
Handling Unicode Text Editing With MLTE (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Apple's multilingual text engine.
Carbon 2008-10-15
HIArchive Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to store data objects using HIArchive. Also includes information to make custom HIObjects archivable.
Carbon 2005-08-11
HIToolbar Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to create toolbars in Carbon applications.
Carbon 2005-07-07
HIView Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes view-based controls and how to implement them in Carbon applications.
Carbon 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.
Carbon 2007-05-16
Image I/O Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to read and write image data using the Image I/O framework.
Carbon 2007-07-02
Image Unit Tutorial (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to write image processing kernels and package them for distribution.
Carbon 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.
Carbon 2008-11-19
Internationalization Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to support multiple languages in software.
Carbon 2009-01-06
Keychain Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
This document explains how to use Keychain Services to store and retrieve passwords.
Carbon 2009-03-12
Launch Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how an application can open document files, other applications, and URLs.
Carbon 2007-08-23
Launch Time Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the launch performance of an application.
Carbon 2006-04-04
Locales Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use locales to retrieve, interpret, and display localized information in Core Foundation.
Carbon 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.
Carbon 2009-02-04
Mac OS X Printing System Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces Apple's printing architecture. Includes a road map for developing software.
Carbon 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.
Carbon 2007-12-11
Memory Management Programming Guide for Core Foundation (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to allocate and deallocate objects in Core Foundation.
Carbon 2008-10-15
Memory Usage Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the performance of memory-related code.
Carbon 2006-06-28
Multiprocessing Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to implement preemptive tasks in Carbon applications.
Carbon 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.
Carbon 2003-12-10
Navigation Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to provide a user interface for navigating to, opening, and saving files.
Carbon 2007-07-10
Network Services Location Manager (Legacy) (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Explains how to have a Carbon application discover available network services.
Carbon 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.
Carbon 2003-02-01
OpenGL Extensions Guide (HTML)
Information about OpenGL functionality supported in Mac OS X.
Carbon 2003-09-10
Pasteboard Manager Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to create and manage pasteboards in Carbon applications.
Carbon 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.
Carbon 2007-12-11
Performance Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the factors that determine performance.
Carbon 2006-10-03
Plug-ins (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use the plug-in architecture provided by Core Foundation.
Carbon 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.
Carbon 2006-10-26
Preferences Programming Topics for Core Foundation (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to manage Core Foundation user preferences.
Carbon 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.
Carbon 2001-11-20
Programming With the Language Analysis Manager (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how morpholgical analysis is performed by the system.
Carbon 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.
Carbon 2005-07-07
Property List Programming Topics for Core Foundation (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use structured, textual representations of data in Core Foundation.
Carbon 2006-02-07
Providing Help Tags in Carbon (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to add contextually sensitive help content to an application's user interface.
Carbon 2002-07-01
Providing PDF Workflow Options in the Print Dialog (HTML) (PDF)
Installation information and examples, including the use of Automator workflows.
Carbon 2007-10-31
Quartz 2D Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Quartz 2D. Includes illustrations and sample code.
Carbon 2007-12-11
Quartz Composer Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to used the framework to load, play, and control compositions.
Carbon 2008-10-15
Quartz Display Services Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Shows how to configure and control display hardware using Quartz Display Services.
Carbon 2006-06-28
Quartz Programming Guide for QuickDraw Developers (HTML) (PDF)
Provides strategies to help Carbon programmers replace QuickDraw code with Quartz.
Carbon 2006-09-05
Quick Look Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the purporse and architecture of Quick Look generators and explains how to create them.
Carbon 2008-02-08
QuickTime Audio (HTML)
Explains how to enable recording and playback of various audio media.
Carbon 2002-09-17
QuickTime Movie Basics (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces some of the basic concepts you need to understand when working with QuickTime movies.
Carbon 2006-01-10
QuickTime Music Architecture Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to enable synthesizing and playing of sounds and musical sequences.
Carbon 2006-01-10
QuickTime Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the main concepts and services of QuickTime.
Carbon 2005-08-11
Resolution Independence Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Describes resolution independence and how to start updating applications to support high-resolution monitors.
Carbon 2007-05-04
Resource Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to work with nib and bundle resources in Mac OS X applications.
Carbon 2009-01-06
Runtime Configuration Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Conceptual and reference information for dynamically configuring your software.
Carbon 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.
Carbon 2005-12-06
Secure Coding Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes techniques to use and factors to consider to make your code more secure from attack.
Carbon 2008-05-23
Security Overview (HTML) (PDF)
An introduction to computer security concepts and the security APIs in Mac OS X and iPhone OS.
Carbon 2008-10-15
Setting Up Your Carbon Application to Use the Services Menu (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to make a Carbon application share functionality with other applications.
Carbon 2003-12-10
Software Delivery Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to distribute and install Mac OS X software using PackageMaker and Installer.
Carbon 2006-07-24
Speech Synthesis Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes speech synthesis in Mac OS X and explains how your application can produce customized spoken output.
Carbon 2006-09-05
Spotlight Importer Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the role of metadata importers and how to write them.
Carbon 2007-05-27
Spotlight Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the main components and services of Apple's metadata technology.
Carbon 2007-05-27
Spotlight Query Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to add Spotlight searching to your applications.
Carbon 2006-03-08
Standard Sound Dialog Component (HTML)
Describes the QuickTime component that lets the user make audio parameter settings.
Carbon 2002-09-17
Strings Programming Guide for Core Foundation (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to create, manipulate, and search strings in Core Foundation, and how strings interact with encodings and character sets.
Carbon 2008-03-11
Supporting Printing in Your Carbon Application (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to support printing in Carbon applications. Includes creating PDFs and porting from Mac OS 9.
Carbon 2004-08-31
Supporting Unicode Input (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces international text in Mac OS X and lists the tasks an application needs to perform.
Carbon 2005-07-07
Threading Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use threads in Cocoa applications.
Carbon 2008-02-08
Unarchiving Interface Objects With Interface Builder Services (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to reconstitute user interface elements in Carbon applications.
Carbon 2004-02-17
Understanding Text Input and the Text Services Manager in Carbon (HTML) (PDF)
Discusses keyboard input, including Unicode, and explains how events are routed and handled.
Carbon 2002-12-11
Uniform Type Identifiers Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Describes uniform type identifiers and how to use them.
Carbon 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.
Carbon 2009-02-04
Upgrading to the Mac OS X HIToolbox (HTML) (PDF)
A porting guide for Carbon developers seeking to adopt Mac OS X HIToolbox features such as nib-based windows and HIViews.
Carbon 2004-06-28
Using Ink Services in Your Application (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how Ink Services works and how to customize handwriting recognition.
Carbon 2003-07-24
Using PostScript Printer Description Files (HTML) (PDF)
Information for printer vendors. Includes installing files, PPD/PDE binding, and grouping features.
Carbon 2005-07-07
Using the Japanese Analysis Engine and Access Method (HTML) (PDF)
Describes dictionary access and the environments used by the Japanese Analysis Engine.
Carbon 2003-05-01
Web Services Core Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use the new Web Services client-side frameworks available in Mac OS X.
Carbon 2009-01-06
WebKit Objective-C Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use the WebKit to embed web content in both Cocoa and Carbon applications.
Carbon 2008-10-15
Xcode Design Tools for Class Modeling (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Xcode Design Tools for Class Modeling.
Carbon 2009-02-04
Xcode Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Xcode IDE and its major components, and provides and overview of the development process.
Carbon 2009-01-06
Xcode Project Management Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Provides practical descriptions of the major development tasks developers perform with Xcode.
Carbon 2009-01-06
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.
Carbon 2008-10-15
Xcode Unit Testing Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to incorporate test cases to validate individual units of source code.
Carbon 2008-05-02
Xcode Workspace Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Provides an overview of the Xcode workspace, and shows how to use its components and features.
Carbon 2009-01-06
XML Programming Topics for Core Foundation (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to parse XML documents into structured objects.
Carbon 2008-10-15
XML-RPC and SOAP Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to make remote procedure calls from applications or from AppleScript scripts.
Carbon 2005-03-03
64-Bit Transition Guide for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to port Cocoa projects to 64-bit addressing.
Cocoa 2009-03-03
Accessibility Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use the accessibility features built into Mac OS X.
Cocoa 2008-03-11
Accessibility Programming Guidelines for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how Cocoa applications make their user interface available to external assistive applications.
Cocoa 2007-02-08
Action Messages (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how Cocoa controls respond to user actions and enable users to communicate to an application.
Cocoa 2002-11-12
Address Book Programming Guide for Mac OS X (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to add, search, remove, and customize Address Book records.
Cocoa 2006-04-04
AltiVec/SSE Migration Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to convert PowerPC AltiVec code to Intel SSE code.
Cocoa 2005-09-08
Animation Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the animation facilities provided by Mac OS X.
Cocoa 2008-10-15
Animation Programming Guide for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to use Cocoa animation objects to enhance user interface transitions.
Cocoa 2006-05-23
Animation Types and Timing Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the animation and timing classes used by both Core Animation and Cocoa Animation proxies.
Cocoa 2008-04-08
Apple Help Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to author, package, and display user help content in Mac OS X.
Cocoa 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.
Cocoa 2008-06-09
AppleScript Language Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Defines the AppleScript scripting language. Includes many brief sample scripts.
Cocoa 2008-03-11
AppleScript Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the technology for writing scripts to control applications. Useful for scripters and application developers.
Cocoa 2007-10-31
AppleScript Studio Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to create script-driven applications with complex user interfaces based on Cocoa UI classes. Includes tutorials.
Cocoa 2006-04-04
Application Architecture Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Explains the architecture of a Cocoa application and how it interacts with the operating system.
Cocoa 2006-08-07
Application File Management (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how Cocoa applications can use, manipulate, and "own" files.
Cocoa 2006-11-07
Application Menu and Pop-up List Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how Cocoa menus and lists work and how to manipulate items within them.
Cocoa 2007-06-26
Archives and Serializations Programming Guide for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to put Cocoa objects into and remove them from a representation suitable for archiving.
Cocoa 2009-02-04
Assertions and Logging (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use assertions and logging to diagnose problems in Cocoa applications.
Cocoa 2006-04-04