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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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CFAttributedString Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an immutable character string and its associated attributes.
Data Management, Text & Fonts 2009-05-06
CFMutableAttributedString Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a mutable character string and associated set of attributes.
Data Management, Text & Fonts 2009-05-06
Search Kit Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for supporting user searches of textual content.
Data Management, Text & Fonts, User Experience 2009-05-06
Speech Synthesis Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for converting text into synthesized speech.
Accessibility, User Experience 2009-04-08
Mac OS X ABI Mach-O File Format Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the data structures that make up the Mach-O file format.
Runtime Architecture 2009-02-04
Quartz Window Services Reference (HTML)
Describes the interface for capturing the contents of a window.
Graphics & Imaging 2009-01-15
vDSP Single-Vector Operations Reference (HTML) (PDF)
This document describes the C API for performing common routines on a single vector in vDSP.
Performance 2009-01-07
vDSP Correlation, Convolution, and Filtering Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an interface for performing correlation, convolution, and filtering operations on real or complex signals.
Performance 2009-01-06
vDSP Matrix Operations Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an interface for matrix arithmetic operations.
Performance 2009-01-06
vDSP One-Dimensional Fast Fourier Transforms Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an interface for performing one-dimensional fast Fourier transforms on an input signal.
Performance 2009-01-06
vDSP Vector-To-Scalar Operations Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes functions that receive a vector as input and compute scalars as output.
Performance 2009-01-06
vDSP Vector-to-Vector Arithmetic Operations Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes functions that receive a vector as input and return a vector as output.
Performance 2009-01-06
Web Services Core Framework Reference (HTML)
Describes the client-side APIs for accessing web services.
Internet & Web 2009-01-06
Certificate, Key, and Trust Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes services to read and evaluate certificates and to use cryptographic keys.
Security 2008-11-19
Keychain Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Keychain Services API, used to create, find, modify, and delete keychain items.
Security 2008-11-19
Quartz Display Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for configuring and controlling display hardware.
Graphics & Imaging 2008-11-19
vDSP Two-Dimensional Fast Fourier Transforms Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Improved function discussions and corrections.
Performance 2008-11-19
CTFontDescriptor Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a dictionary that fully specifies a font.
Text & Fonts 2008-10-15
WebKit C Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for displaying web content in windows.
Internet & Web, User Experience 2008-10-15
CFNetwork Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C APIs for performing a variety network tasks.
Networking 2008-07-15
Audio File Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a C programming interface for reading and writing audio files.
Audio, File Management 2008-07-08
Audio Queue Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a high-level programming interface for recording and playing back audio data.
Audio 2008-07-08
Core Image Kernel Language Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the symbols for writing image-processing kernels.
Graphics & Imaging 2008-06-09
CPlusTest Reference (HTML)
Describes the CPlusTest framework, which provides an API for creating unit tests for C and C++ code.
Tools 2008-04-08
Data Browser Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API used to display data in list or column views similar to the Finder.
Human Interface Toolbox, User Experience 2008-04-08
Disc Recording Framework Reference (HTML)
Describes the Objective-C and C API for burning audio and data CDs and DVDs.
Audio, File Management 2008-04-08
Disc Recording UI Framework Reference (HTML)
Describes the Objective-C and C API for presenting a user interface when burning audio and data CDs and DVDs.
Audio, File Management, User Experience 2008-04-08
JavaScriptCore Framework Reference (HTML)
Describes the API for evaluating JavaScript programs from within a C-based program
Internet & Web 2008-04-08
Security Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for protecting information.
Security 2008-03-12
Multiprocessing Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating preemptively scheduled tasks in Carbon applications.
Performance, Process Management 2008-02-08
GNU C 4.2 Preprocessor User Guide (HTML)
Describes the Apple version of the GNU C 4.2 Preprocessor.
Tools 2008-01-23
GNU C/C++/Objective-C 4.2.1 Compiler User Guide (HTML)
Describes the Apple version of the GNU 4.2.1 compiler.
Tools 2008-01-23
Apple Type Services for Fonts Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for ATS-based font access and management.
Text & Fonts 2007-12-11
Dictionary Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Describes a deprecated technology replaced by Dictionary Services.
Text & Fonts 2007-12-11
Font Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for QuickDraw-based font access and management.
Graphics & Imaging, Text & Fonts 2007-12-11
List Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Describes the legacy C API for managing and displaying elements in a scrollable list. Replaced by the Data Browser.
Human Interface Toolbox, User Experience 2007-12-11
PDEPanel Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol used to implement custom panes in a printing dialog.
Printing 2007-12-11
PDEPlugIn Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol used to add custom panes to a printing dialog.
Printing 2007-12-11
PDEPlugInCallbackProtocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol used to access information about the current print job.
Printing 2007-12-11
Scrap Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Describes the legacy C API used to copy items to and from the Clipboard. Replaced by the Pasteboard Manager.
Interapplication Communication 2007-12-11
Script Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Describes a deprecated technology replaced by Unicode facilities.
Text & Fonts 2007-12-11
Core Text Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an API providing text and font services.
Text & Fonts 2007-12-04
Display Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Describes the C API for dynamically changing the arrangement and display modes of attached monitors. Replaced by Quartz Display Services.
Graphics & Imaging, User Experience 2007-12-04
Process Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for process management in Carbon applications.
Process Management 2007-12-04
AGL Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Apple graphics library for Carbon applications that use OpenGL.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-10-31
AppleScript Studio Terminology Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the scripting terminology for AppleScript Studio, through version 1.4.
Scripting & Automation, Tools 2007-10-31
Application Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for performing various application-level tasks in a Carbon application. Formerly titled Dock Manager Reference.
Human Interface Toolbox, User Experience 2007-10-31
Application Services Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for a number of services--such as Quartz 2D and ATSUI--that are essential to Carbon applications.
General 2007-10-31
Audio Codec Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the programming interface for configuring audio codecs and for encoding and decoding audio data.
Audio 2007-10-31
Carbon Event Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for handling events in Carbon applications.
Events & Other Input 2007-10-31
Carbon Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes many fundamental user experience APIs used in Carbon applications.
General 2007-10-31
CGImageProperties Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes property constants for source and destination images.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-10-31
Core Foundation Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Core Foundation API.
Core Foundation 2007-10-31
Core Services Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for many fundamental operating system services.
General 2007-10-31
Cryptographic Message Syntax Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for encrypting, signing, and decoding messages using Cryptographic Message Syntax (CMS).
Security 2007-10-31
Dialog Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C interface for implementing alerts and dialog boxes.
Human Interface Toolbox, User Experience 2007-10-31
Event Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Describes the event-handling system created originally for Classic Mac OS and superseded by the Carbon Event Manager.
Events & Other Input 2007-10-31
Gestalt Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for obtaining information about the operating-system environment.
Resource Management 2007-10-31
GNU C 4.0 Preprocessor User Guide (HTML)
Describes the Apple version of the GNU C 4.0 Preprocessor.
Tools 2007-10-31
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, Tools 2007-10-31
Preferences Utilities Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes Core Foundation preferences functions.
User Experience 2007-10-31
QLThumbnailRequest Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an opaque type for handling requests for Quick Look thumbnail images.
User Experience 2007-10-31
Quartz Event Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for event taps, filters used to observe and alter the stream of low-level user input events.
Events & Other Input 2007-10-31
Resource Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for accessing information stored in resource files.
File Management, Resource Management 2007-10-31
Window Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating and manipulating Carbon windows.
Human Interface Toolbox, User Experience 2007-10-31
Carbon Printing Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API used by Carbon applications to provide a user interface for printing.
Printing 2007-07-24
Core Printing Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API that provides an abstraction layer for application printing.
Printing 2007-07-24
ABPicker Reference for C (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the ABPicker opaque type.
Apple Applications 2007-07-20
Apple Event Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for interapplication communication using Apple events.
Events & Other Input, Interapplication Communication, Scripting & Automation 2007-07-13
File Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for basic file management tasks, such as opening and saving files.
File Management 2007-07-13
vImage Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C programming interface for high-performance image processing.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-07-12
ABAddressBook C Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the opaque type for accessing, adding, and removing Address Book records.
Apple Applications 2007-07-08
Address Book Actions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Address Book action callbacks.
Apple Applications 2007-07-08
Address Book Utilities Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C functions that support the Carbon API for Address Book.
Apple Applications 2007-07-08
Color Picker Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API used in Classic Mac OS to solicit color choices from users.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-07-02
CTFont Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a representation of a font.
Text & Fonts 2007-06-29
Pasteboard Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating and interacting with pasteboards.
Interapplication Communication 2007-06-29
QuickDraw Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for the legacy two-dimensional drawing engine in Mac OS. Replaced by Quartz 2D.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-06-29
ATSUI Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for rendering Unicode-encoded text with advanced typographic features.
Graphics & Imaging, Internationalization, Text & Fonts 2007-06-28
CGL Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes Apple's low level interface for OpenGL contexts.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-06-28
Memory Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the deprecated technology for working with dynamic memory.
Resource Management 2007-06-27
vDSP Complex Vector Conversion Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes functions that convert complex vectors between interleaved and split forms.
Performance 2007-06-15
vDSP Vector Scalar Arithmetic Operations Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes vDSP functions that perform arithmetic operations combining a scalar with each element of a vector.
Performance 2007-06-15
HIGeometry Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API that defines basic geometric objects for HIToolbox.
Graphics & Imaging, Human Interface Toolbox 2007-06-11
Text Input Source Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for operating on text input sources, such as keyboards, character palettes, and ink input.
Internationalization, Text & Fonts 2007-06-07
Core Endian Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating and installing callbacks to byte swap custom data.
Data Management, Intel-Based Macs, Porting 2007-05-29
Dictionary Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C and C routines that support programmatic access to dictionaries.
Text & Fonts 2007-05-29
Text Utilities Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for operating on strings (formatting, sorting, converting, comparing).
Text & Fonts 2007-05-29
CTLine Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a line of text.
Text & Fonts 2007-05-24
CTRun Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a set of consecutive glyphs sharing the same attributes and direction.
Text & Fonts 2007-05-24
CFFileDescriptor Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an object for monitoring file descriptors for read and write activity.
File Management 2007-05-23
Spotlight Metadata Attributes Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes metadata attributes used with Spotlight.
File Management 2007-05-22
CTFontCollection Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a collection of fonts.
Text & Fonts 2007-05-16
Authorization Plug-in Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for implementing an authorization plug-in.
Security 2007-05-15
CTGlyphInfo Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an opaque type used to override a font's mapping from Unicode to glyph ID.
Text & Fonts 2007-05-09
Open Scripting Architecture Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for compiling and executing scripts in applications and writing scripting components.
Interapplication Communication, Scripting & Automation 2007-05-07
Core Text String Attributes Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the string attributes recognized by Core Text.
Text & Fonts 2007-05-01
CTFrame Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a multiline text frame.
Text & Fonts 2007-05-01
CTTextTab Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a tab in a paragraph style.
Text & Fonts 2007-05-01
CTTypesetter Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the opaque type that performs line layout.
Text & Fonts 2007-05-01