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Leopard Reference
Cocoa is an object-oriented application environment designed for developing Mac OS X native applications. The Cocoa frameworks support rapid development and high productivity. Cocoa provides developers starting new Mac OS X projects the fastest way to full-featured implementations. Applications from other platforms can also be brought to Mac OS X quickly using Cocoa.

A guided introduction and learning path for developers new to Cocoa.   Essential information for developers using Objective-C.   Objective-C API references organized by framework.
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NSEntityDescription Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to specify entities in a Core Data managed object model.
Objective-C Language 2008-02-08
NSFetchRequest Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to describe search criteria used to retrieve data from a persistent store in Core Data.
Data Management 2008-02-08
NSLocale Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a locale.
Internationalization, User Experience 2008-02-08
NSLock Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a mutex-based lock.
Process Management 2008-02-08
NSMenu Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an application menu.
User Experience 2008-02-08
NSMenuItem Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a menu item.
User Experience 2008-02-08
NSNumber Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a number.
Data Management 2008-02-08
NSPersistentDocument Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a document that integrates with the Core Data framework.
Data Management, Design Guidelines 2008-02-08
NSRuleEditor Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a graphical rule editor.
User Experience 2008-02-08
NSRunLoop Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the object that manages events on a thread.
Events & Other Input, Performance 2008-02-08
NSTimeZone Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a time zone.
Data Management, Internationalization 2008-02-08
CAConstraintLayoutManager Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a layout manager that applies a set of constraints to a layer tree.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-12-11
CATextLayer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a layer that draws text.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-12-11
CIFilter Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that processes image data and produces a Core Image image as output.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-12-11
NSAccessibility Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving accessibility-related messages.
Accessibility 2007-12-11
NSCollectionView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a collection of views that displays content in a grid.
User Experience 2007-12-11
NSObjectController Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a Cocoa bindings-compatible manager of an object.
Data Management, Design Guidelines 2007-12-11
NSThread Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a thread of execution.
Process Management 2007-12-11
NSURLResponse Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the metadata returned by a server for a load request.
Internet & Web, Networking, Objective-C Language 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
PDF Kit Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API for viewing, navigating, and editing PDF content.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-12-11
PDFAction Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for representing an action in a PDF document.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-12-11
PDFActionGoTo Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating the destination of a go-to action in a PDF document.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-12-11
PDFActionNamed Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for working with actions that have defined names, such as "Go back."
Graphics & Imaging 2007-12-11
PDFActionRemoteGoTo Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating the destination of a go-to action that targets another PDF document.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-12-11
PDFActionResetForm Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for getting and clearing fields in a PDF form.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-12-11
PDFActionURL Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for managing the URL associated with a URL action.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-12-11
PDFAnnotation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describe the class for creating and managing annotations in PDF documents.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-12-11
PDFAnnotationButtonWidget Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating button annotations in PDF documents.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-12-11
PDFAnnotationChoiceWidget Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating pop-up menu and list annotations in a PDF document.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-12-11
PDFAnnotationFreeText Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating free text annotations in PDF documents.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-12-11
PDFAnnotationLine Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating line annotations in PDF documents.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-12-11
PDFAnnotationPopup Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating pop-up menu annotations in a PDF document.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-12-11
PDFAnnotationStamp Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for displaying content to look as if it is "stamped" onto a PDF page.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-12-11
PDFAnnotationText Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating text annotations in PDF documents.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-12-11
PDFAnnotationTextWidget Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating editable text fields in PDF documents.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-12-11
PDFDestination Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for describing specific destinations in PDF documents.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-12-11
PDFDocument Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for creating and manipulating PDF files.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-12-11
PDFOutline Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for creating and manipulating structure outlines in PDF documents.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-12-11
PDFPage Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for handling specific pages in PDF documents.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-12-11
PDFThumbnailView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for managing the thumbnail view in a PDF document.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-12-11
NSAttributedString Application Kit Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes additions for analyzing and using attributed strings.
Data Management, Text & Fonts 2007-12-04
Apple Applications Schema Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the schemas used by Apple Applications to sync records such as contacts, calendars, and bookmarks.
Apple Applications, Data Management, Internet & Web, Syncing 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 Kit Constants Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the constants defined in the Application Kit framework not described in individual classes.
Objective-C Language 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
CAAnimation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for managing the actions and timing of an animation.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-10-31
CalTask Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to get properties about a task.
Apple Applications 2007-10-31
CATransition Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides transition animations to layers.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-10-31
CIImage Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that represents an immutable Core Image image.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-10-31
Cocoa Bindings Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the exposed bindings of Cocoa classes.
User Experience 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
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
IKFilterBrowserPanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides the panel contained in a filter browser.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-10-31
IKPictureTaker Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Descibes the class that provides a panel for choosing images.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-10-31
IKSlideshow Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that encapsulates a data source and options for a slideshow.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-10-31
IMAVManager Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the object that controls the auxiliary audio and video source to iChat Theater.
Apple Applications 2007-10-31
ISyncUIHelper Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
An informal protocol that provides user interface attributes to the iSync user interface.
Syncing 2007-10-31
NSAnimation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the behavior of an animation.
Games, Graphics & Imaging, User Experience 2007-10-31
NSAttributeDescription Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to define attributes of an entity in a Core Data managed object model.
Objective-C Language 2007-10-31
NSDecimalNumber Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a decimal number.
Data Management 2007-10-31
NSKeyValueObserving Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving notifications of changes to object properties.
Data Management, Design Guidelines 2007-10-31
NSScriptKeyValueCoding Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol used to provide additional key-value coding capabilities in a scriptable application.
Scripting & Automation 2007-10-31
NSSecureTextFieldCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the user interface of a secure text field.
Text & Fonts, User Experience 2007-10-31
NSSortDescriptor Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the rules for a sorting operation.
Data Management 2007-10-31
NSTableColumn Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the display characteristics and attribute identifiers for a column in a table view.
User Experience 2007-10-31
NSValue Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a container for a single C or Objective-C data item.
Data Management 2007-10-31
QLThumbnailRequest Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an opaque type for handling requests for Quick Look thumbnail images.
User Experience 2007-10-31
QTKit Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interfaces for working with QuickTime movies and media capture.
QuickTime 2007-10-31
Sync Services Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API for the Sync Services framework used to sync applications and devices.
Apple Applications, Internet & Web, Syncing 2007-10-31
CAAction Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving actions initiated by a layer.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-07-24
CABasicAnimation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the basic interpolation of a layer property.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-07-24
CAConstraint Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a single geometric constraint between two layers.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-07-24
CAKeyframeAnimation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an animation that provides keyframe interpolation of a layer property.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-07-24
CALayoutManager Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving requests to arrange a layout tree.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-07-24
CAPropertyAnimation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for manipulating values of layer properties.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-07-24
CAScrollLayer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a layer that displays a scrollable portion of another layer.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-07-24
CATiledLayer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a layer that draws tiles of content as needed.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-07-24
CATransaction Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a batch of Core Animation updates that are applied to a render tree atomically.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-07-24
CIFilter Core Animation Additions (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the category that extends Core Image filters for use with Layer Kit.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-07-24
Core Animation Function Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C functions that support Core Animation.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-07-24
Core Data Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API for the Core Data framework.
Data Management, General, Objective-C Language 2007-07-24
Core Printing Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API that provides an abstraction layer for application printing.
Printing 2007-07-24
NSValue Core Animation Additions (HTML) (PDF)
Describes extensions to Foundation's NSValue class that support the Core Animation LKTransform structure.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-07-24
NSValueTransformer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a Cocoa-bindings compatible interface for transforming value representations.
Data Management, Design Guidelines 2007-07-24
NSMapTable Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a collection of key-value pairs that supports weak references.
Data Management 2007-07-22
NSPersistentStore Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
New document that describes the abstract Core Data class that represents a persistent store.
Data Management 2007-07-22
NSScriptCommand Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to represent a scripting statement and the information needed to perform the operation it specifies.
Scripting & Automation 2007-07-20
NSBundle Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes additions for loading nib files in Cocoa applications.
Resource Management 2007-07-19
NSBundle Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a collection of resources used in a program.
Data Management, Internationalization, Resource Management 2007-07-19
NSPort Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for implementing communication ports.
Interapplication Communication 2007-07-19
IKImageBrowserDataSource Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol used to access the data source associated with an image browser view.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-07-17
NSScriptClassDescription Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to encapsulate the scriptability information for a scriptable class.
Scripting & Automation 2007-07-17
NSPrintPanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a print dialog.
Printing 2007-07-16
QCPlugInInputImageSource Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the methods for managing image data that's input to a QCPlugIn object.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-07-12
vImage Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C programming interface for high-performance image processing.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-07-12
IBInspector Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for managing inspector views in Interface Builder.
Tools 2007-07-11
ISyncClient Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
An ISyncClient object represents an application, tool, or device that syncs records--for example, Address Book, .Mac, or a mobile phone.
Syncing 2007-07-11