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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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Xserve User's Guide (PDF)
Explains how to install, operate, and update Xserve systems. Includes expansion and hardware specifications.
Mac OS X Server 2008-06-09
Apple Filing Protocol Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes high-level concepts for Apple Filing Protocol commands.
Networking 2006-04-04
Apple Remote Desktop Administrator's Guide Version 3.2 (PDF)
Explains how to install and configure Apple Remote Desktop and use it to remotely control and manage client computers.
Networking 2007-12-04
Apple Remote Desktop Focus on Task Server (PDF)
Explains how to use Task Server to provide always-on, automated administration of client computers.
Networking 2006-08-07
Bonjour Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Apple's zero-configuration networking architecture in Cocoa applications.
Networking 2006-05-23
CCL Modem Scripting Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Networking 2007-06-28
CFNetwork Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Core Foundation networking functions to work with low-level BSD sockets.
Networking 2009-05-06
Code Signing Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how you can sign your code and why you should.
Networking 2008-11-19
Deploying Mac OS X Computers for K-12 Education (PDF)
Explains how to configure and deploy Mac OS X Server and Mac OS X computers for K-12 education.
Networking 2006-07-24
Distributed Objects Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how Objective-C objects in different threads or different processes communicate.
Networking 2007-06-06
DNS Service Discovery Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use DNS Service Discovery in your application.
Networking 2005-11-09
DNSServiceDiscovery Mach-Based API (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated.
Networking 2005-04-29
Identity Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how identities work and how to use them in applications.
Networking 2008-10-15
Mac OS X Security Configuration Guide (PDF)
Describes how to configure Mac OS X to enhance security.
Networking 2008-06-09
Mac OS X Server Administrator Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Document that describes a variety of server administrator advanced operations.
Networking 2007-05-23
Mac OS X Server Command-Line Administration (PDF)
Explains how to use commands and configuration files to perform server administration tasks in a UNIX command shell.
Networking 2007-12-11
Mac OS X Server High Availability Administration (PDF)
Explains how to manage IP failover, link aggregation, and load balancing to ensure high availability of services.
Networking 2005-04-29
Mac OS X Server Network Services Administration (PDF)
Explains how to set up, configure, and administer DHCP, DNS, VPN, NTP, IP firewall, and NAT services on the server.
Networking 2008-06-09
Mac OS X Server Podcast Producer Administration (PDF)
Explains how to set up and manage Podcast Producer service to record, process, and distribute podcasts.
Networking 2007-10-31
Mac OS X Server Podcast Producer Workflow Tutorial (PDF)
Explains how to develop and customize Podcast Producer workflows.
Networking 2008-06-09
Mac OS X Server Security Configuration Guide (PDF)
Describes how to configure Mac OS X Server to enhance server and service security.
Networking 2008-06-09
Mac OS X Server System Image and Software Update Administration (PDF)
Explains how to use network-resident startup disks and how to set up a software update server.
Networking 2007-10-31
Mac OS X Server Xgrid Administration and High Performance Computing (PDF)
Explains how to set up and manage computational clusters of Xserve systems and Mac computers.
Networking 2007-10-31
Network Device Driver Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Background and task information about developing network drivers for Mac OS X.
Networking 2008-03-11
Network Kernel Extensions (legacy) (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to write a kernel extension for adding or modifying functionality of a networking stack (Mac OS X 10.3 and earlier).
Networking 2006-10-03
Network Kernel Extensions Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to write a kernel extension for adding or modifying functionality of a networking stack (Mac OS X 10.4 and later).
Networking 2009-03-02
Network Services Location Manager (Legacy) (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Explains how to have a Carbon application discover available network services.
Networking 2006-05-23
NSNetServices and CFNetServices Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to implement Bonjour in Cocoa or Carbon applications.
Networking 2008-10-15
Open Directory Plug-in Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to implement dynamically loaded libraries that respond to Open Directory client requests in Carbon.
Networking 2006-05-23
Open Directory Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to implement centralized storage and retrieval of information in Carbon.
Networking 2007-01-08
Safari User Guide for Web Developers (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the developer tools built into Safari for analyzing, testing, and debugging HTML, JavaScript, style sheets, and DOM structure.
Networking 2009-01-06
Security Overview (HTML) (PDF)
An introduction to computer security concepts and the security APIs in Mac OS X and iPhone OS.
Networking 2008-10-15
Smart Card Setup Guide (PDF)
Explains how to configure Mac OS X version 10.4 to use smart cards.
Networking 2006-08-07
Stream Programming Guide for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use the Cocoa stream classes to read data from and write data to streams.
Networking 2009-05-06
System Configuration Programming Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use system configuration services for network configuration and management, including determining reachability and getting connected.
Networking 2006-02-07
URL Loading System (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to manipulate URLs and transfer URL contents.
Networking 2008-05-06
Web Services Core Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use the new Web Services client-side frameworks available in Mac OS X.
Networking 2009-01-06
Xsan Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes managing files and storage pools with Xsan.
Networking 2006-05-23
64-Bit Transition Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the 64-bit features available in Mac OS X.
Open Source 2008-04-08
Authorization Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to add fine-grained control of privileged operations in an application.
Open Source 2009-01-06
Bundle Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Core Foundation bundle objects to organize resources.
Open Source 2005-11-09
CCL Modem Scripting Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Open Source 2007-06-28
CFNetwork Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Core Foundation networking functions to work with low-level BSD sockets.
Open Source 2009-05-06
Code Signing Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how you can sign your code and why you should.
Open Source 2008-11-19
Collections Programming Topics for Core Foundation (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to group objects in arrays, sets, or dictionaries in Core Foundation.
Open Source 2003-08-07
Core Foundation Design Concepts (HTML) (PDF)
Explains the fundamental design concepts that underlie all Core Foundation programming interfaces.
Open Source 2005-08-11
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.
Open Source 2006-11-07
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.
Open Source 2006-12-21
Dates and Times Programming Guide for Core Foundation (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to manage Core Foundation dates and times.
Open Source 2005-08-11
Debugging Programming Topics for Core Foundation (HTML) (PDF)
Tips and techniques for debugging Core Foundation code.
Open Source 2003-01-17
DNS Service Discovery Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use DNS Service Discovery in your application.
Open Source 2005-11-09
Dynamic Library Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to design, implement, and use dynamic libraries.
Open Source 2009-02-26
File System Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Conceptual information and guidelines describing the structure and usage of the Mac OS X file system.
Open Source 2008-07-11
HeaderDoc User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to extract API reference documentation from commented header files.
Open Source 2008-04-08
Mac OS X Server Administrator Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Document that describes a variety of server administrator advanced operations.
Open Source 2007-05-23
Mac OS X Server Security Configuration Guide (PDF)
Describes how to configure Mac OS X Server to enhance server and service security.
Open Source 2008-06-09
Multiple User Environments (HTML) (PDF)
Explains the system's user environment and gives guidance on writing programs for that environment.
Open Source 2005-07-07
Open Directory Plug-in Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to implement dynamically loaded libraries that respond to Open Directory client requests in Carbon.
Open Source 2006-05-23
Open Directory Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to implement centralized storage and retrieval of information in Carbon.
Open Source 2007-01-08
Performance Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the factors that determine performance.
Open Source 2006-10-03
Plug-ins (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use the plug-in architecture provided by Core Foundation.
Open Source 2005-03-03
Porting Drivers to Mac OS X (HTML) (PDF)
Tips and code samples to help UNIX/Linux device driver developers bring their drivers to Mac OS X.
Open Source 2009-05-06
Porting UNIX/Linux Applications to Mac OS X (HTML) (PDF)
Conceptual information and tips about porting UNIX and Linux applications to Mac OS X.
Open Source 2008-04-08
Runtime Configuration Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Conceptual and reference information for dynamically configuring your software.
Open Source 2008-07-08
Security Overview (HTML) (PDF)
An introduction to computer security concepts and the security APIs in Mac OS X and iPhone OS.
Open Source 2008-10-15
Shell Scripting Primer (HTML) (PDF)
A guided tour of (Bourne) shell scripting, including control structures, numerical computation, regular expressions, subroutines, and error handling.
Open Source 2009-04-08
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.
Open Source 2008-03-11
System Startup Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Explains the boot process used to initialize the Mac OS X operating system.
Open Source 2008-11-19
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.
Open Source 2009-02-04
WebKit DOM Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to use JavaScript in web content and WebKit-based applications.
Open Source 2008-10-15
WebKit Plug-In Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to develop and deploy browser plug-ins based on the WebKit architecture.
Open Source 2008-10-15
64-Bit Guide for Carbon Developers (HTML) (PDF)
Explains the changes necessary to create a 64-bit executable version of a Carbon application.
Performance 2007-12-11
64-Bit Transition Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the 64-bit features available in Mac OS X.
Performance 2008-04-08
AltiVec/SSE Migration Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to convert PowerPC AltiVec code to Intel SSE code.
Performance 2005-09-08
Cocoa Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the performance of Cocoa applications.
Performance 2005-08-11
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
Debugging Cocoa Applications (HTML) (PDF)
Tips and techniques for debugging Cocoa applications.
Performance 2002-11-12
Debugging Programming Topics for Core Foundation (HTML) (PDF)
Tips and techniques for debugging Core Foundation code.
Performance 2003-01-17
Deploying Mac OS X Server for High Performance Computing (PDF)
Explains how to configure Mac OS X Server for computational clustering.
Performance 2005-10-04
Drawing Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the speed of drawing code.
Performance 2006-04-04
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.
Performance 2006-10-03
I/O Kit Fundamentals (HTML) (PDF)
The basics of developing device drivers. Includes descriptions of I/O Kit families.
Performance 2007-05-17
Launch Time Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the launch performance of an application.
Performance 2006-04-04
Memory Usage Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the performance of memory-related code.
Performance 2006-06-28
Performance Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the factors that determine performance.
Performance 2006-10-03
PowerPC Numerics (PDF)
Describes the Mac OS X numerics environment for implementing IEEE standards 754 and C99.
Performance 2004-01-22
Shark User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to analyze code performance by profiling the system.
Performance 2008-04-14
Threading Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use threads in Cocoa applications.
Performance 2008-02-08
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.
Performance 2009-02-04
vImage Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use the C programming interface for high-speed vector image processing.
Performance 2008-10-15
Xcode Debugging Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Xcode debugging facilities and the recommended debugging techniques.
Performance 2009-01-06
Xgrid Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to create client applications that use Xgrid, Apple's parallel multiprocessing technology.
Performance 2007-10-31
Xsan 2 Administrator's Guide (PDF)
Explains how to set up and manage Xsan volumes in a storage area network.
Performance 2008-06-09
Xsan 2 Setup Guide (PDF)
Explains how to set up a volume on a storage area network (SAN) using Xsan 2.
Performance 2008-06-09
Xsan Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes managing files and storage pools with Xsan.
Performance 2006-05-23
64-Bit Guide for Carbon Developers (HTML) (PDF)
Explains the changes necessary to create a 64-bit executable version of a Carbon application.
Porting 2007-12-11
64-Bit Transition Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the 64-bit features available in Mac OS X.
Porting 2008-04-08
Apple Human Interface Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the Mac OS X user experience and explains how to design an application for Aqua.
Porting 2008-06-09