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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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Core Endian Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating and installing callbacks to byte swap custom data.
Intel-Based Macs 2007-05-29
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 2007-10-31
Apple Event Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for interapplication communication using Apple events.
Interapplication Communication 2007-07-13
Drag Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for dragging objects within the user interface.
Interapplication Communication 2006-07-12
HIArchive Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for storing and retrieving data in HIArchives.
Interapplication Communication 2005-08-11
Launch Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an API for opening documents, other applications, and URLs, in a way similar to the Finder or the Dock.
Interapplication Communication 2006-07-13
Open Scripting Architecture Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for compiling and executing scripts in applications and writing scripting components.
Interapplication Communication 2007-05-07
Pasteboard Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating and interacting with pasteboards.
Interapplication Communication 2007-06-29
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
ATSUI Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for rendering Unicode-encoded text with advanced typographic features.
Internationalization 2007-06-28
Date, Time, and Measurement Utilities Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for manipulating the locale-specific data of the battery-operated clock.
Internationalization 2006-09-29
Keyboard Layout Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for managing key-to-character mappings used to support various languages.
Internationalization 2002-11-18
Language Analysis Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Carbon shared library that performs morphological analysis for Japanese text.
Internationalization 2003-04-01
Locale Utilities Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for supporting conventions of a specific language or region.
Internationalization 2002-01-24
Multilingual Text Engine Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for supporting Unicode text editing.
Internationalization 2007-02-19
Text Encoding Conversion Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for transferring text across other platforms or over the Internet.
Internationalization 2005-07-07
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 2007-06-07
Unicode Utilities Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API that allows applications and input methods to operate on Unicode text.
Internationalization 2006-01-10
JavaScriptCore Framework Reference (HTML)
Describes the API for evaluating JavaScript programs from within a C-based program
Internet & Web 2008-04-08
URL Access Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Describes the legacy C API for transferring data to and from a URL from within an application. Replaced by CFNetwork.
Internet & Web 2006-07-13
Web Services Core Framework Reference (HTML)
Describes the client-side APIs for accessing web services.
Internet & Web 2009-01-06
WebKit C Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for displaying web content in windows.
Internet & Web 2008-10-15
CFNetwork Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C APIs for performing a variety network tasks.
Networking 2008-07-15
Internet Config Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the legacy technology for managing Internet preferences in Classic Mac OS.
Networking 2003-05-01
Open Transport Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Carbon compatibility library for accessing TCP/IP networks at the transport level.
Networking 2005-07-07
URL Access Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Describes the legacy C API for transferring data to and from a URL from within an application. Replaced by CFNetwork.
Networking 2006-07-13
Debugger Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for standard exception-handling and assertion functions used in Carbon applications.
Performance 2003-01-01
Error Handler Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for a Mac OS 9 service that assumes control when certain low-level system errors occur.
Performance 2003-01-01
Multiprocessing Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating preemptively scheduled tasks in Carbon applications.
Performance 2008-02-08
vDSP Complex Vector Conversion Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes functions that convert complex vectors between interleaved and split forms.
Performance 2007-06-15
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 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 Two-Dimensional Fast Fourier Transforms Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Improved function discussions and corrections.
Performance 2008-11-19
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
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
Core Endian Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating and installing callbacks to byte swap custom data.
Porting 2007-05-29
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
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
Printing Plug-in Interfaces Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the various callback interfaces that Mac OS X printing plug-ins implement in Carbon.
Printing 2003-07-31
Ticket Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API used by printer modules and PDEs to communicate printing information to the system.
Printing 2002-10-23
Multiprocessing Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating preemptively scheduled tasks in Carbon applications.
Process Management 2008-02-08
Process Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for process management in Carbon applications.
Process Management 2007-12-04
Thread Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating cooperatively scheduled threads in Carbon applications.
Process Management 2007-04-04
QuickTime Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for QuickTime.
QuickTime 2006-05-23
Gestalt Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for obtaining information about the operating-system environment.
Resource Management 2007-10-31
Low Memory Accessors Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for obtaining information stored in low-memory variables.
Resource Management 2006-07-13
Memory Management Utilities Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for accessing global variables and managing the operating-system queue.
Resource Management 2006-07-12
Memory Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the deprecated technology for working with dynamic memory.
Resource Management 2007-06-27
Power Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the legacy C API for controlling power to the internal hardware devices of battery-powered Macintosh computers.
Resource Management 2006-07-13
Resource Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for accessing information stored in resource files.
Resource Management 2007-10-31
SCSI Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Describes the C API for accessing SCSI devices in Classic Mac OS. Replaced by the I/O Kit.
Resource Management 2006-07-12
Time Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for scheduling routines for execution at a later time.
Resource Management 2006-03-08
Code Fragment Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for loading and preparing PEF binaries.
Runtime Architecture 2005-07-07
Component Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an interface for using shared code resources.
Runtime Architecture 2006-07-17
Mac OS X ABI Dynamic Loader Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the functions used to access Mach-O files.
Runtime Architecture 2005-11-09
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
Mixed Mode Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface that supports PowerPC computers running 680x0 code.
Runtime Architecture 2003-04-01
Pascal String Utilities Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for manipulating Pascal strings in Carbon applications.
Runtime Architecture 2006-07-12
Apple Event Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for interapplication communication using Apple events.
Scripting & Automation 2007-07-13
AppleScript Studio Terminology Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the scripting terminology for AppleScript Studio, through version 1.4.
Scripting & Automation 2007-10-31
Open Scripting Architecture Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for compiling and executing scripts in applications and writing scripting components.
Scripting & Automation 2007-05-07
Authorization Plug-in Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for implementing an authorization plug-in.
Security 2007-05-15
Authorization Services C Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for adding fine-grained control of privileged operations in an application.
Security 2005-11-08
Certificate, Key, and Trust Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes services to read and evaluate certificates and to use cryptographic keys.
Security 2008-11-19
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
Keychain Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the legacy C API for managing passwords for multiple users and databases. Replaced by Keychain Services.
Security 2005-07-07
Keychain Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Keychain Services API, used to create, find, modify, and delete keychain items.
Security 2008-11-19
Secure Transport Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating a Secure Sockets Layer session over any transport layer.
Security 2004-08-31
Security Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for protecting information.
Security 2008-03-12
Apple Type Services for Fonts Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for ATS-based font access and management.
Text & Fonts 2007-12-11
ATSUI Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for rendering Unicode-encoded text with advanced typographic features.
Text & Fonts 2007-06-28
CFAttributedString Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an immutable character string and its associated attributes.
Text & Fonts 2009-05-06
CFMutableAttributedString Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a mutable character string and associated set of attributes.
Text & Fonts 2009-05-06
Core Text Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an API providing text and font services.
Text & Fonts 2007-12-04
Core Text String Attributes Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the string attributes recognized by Core Text.
Text & Fonts 2007-05-01
Core Text Utilities Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes general Core Text functions and data types.
Text & Fonts 2007-04-21
CTFont Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a representation of a font.
Text & Fonts 2007-06-29
CTFontCollection Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a collection of fonts.
Text & Fonts 2007-05-16
CTFontDescriptor Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a dictionary that fully specifies a font.
Text & Fonts 2008-10-15
CTFrame Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a multiline text frame.
Text & Fonts 2007-05-01
CTFramesetter Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an opaque type that generates text frames.
Text & Fonts 2007-04-21
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
CTLine Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a line of text.
Text & Fonts 2007-05-24
CTParagraphStyle Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes paragraph or ruler attributes in an attributed string.
Text & Fonts 2007-04-21
CTRun Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a set of consecutive glyphs sharing the same attributes and direction.
Text & Fonts 2007-05-24
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
Dictionary Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Describes a deprecated technology replaced by Dictionary Services.
Text & Fonts 2007-12-11
Dictionary Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C and C routines that support programmatic access to dictionaries.
Text & Fonts 2007-05-29
Find By Content Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Describes the legacy C API for performing relevance-ranked searches. Replaced by Search Kit.
Text & Fonts 2006-07-13
Font Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for QuickDraw-based font access and management.
Text & Fonts 2007-12-11
Fonts Panel Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for providing a Fonts window in a Carbon application.
Text & Fonts 2007-02-26
FontSync Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for content-based font identification and comparison.
Text & Fonts 2002-10-01
Keyboard Layout Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for managing key-to-character mappings used to support various languages.
Text & Fonts 2002-11-18