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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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NSNotification Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes information to be broadcast to other objects through a notification center.
Events & Other Input 2007-04-02
NSNotificationCenter Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an object that synchronously broadcasts notifications.
Events & Other Input 2008-07-11
NSNotificationQueue Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an object that asynchronously broadcasts notifications.
Events & Other Input 2007-04-02
NSOpenPanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the panel that a user employs to locate and open a file.
Events & Other Input 2009-02-04
NSPanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a window for performing auxiliary functions in an application.
Events & Other Input 2009-01-06
NSResponder Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for handling events.
Events & Other Input 2007-03-05
NSRunLoop Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the object that manages events on a thread.
Events & Other Input 2008-02-08
NSSavePanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the panel that a user employs to set a file-system location and save a file.
Events & Other Input 2009-02-04
NSSpeechRecognizer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Cocoa command-and-control voice recognition system.
Events & Other Input 2007-04-03
NSTextInput Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Descibes the formal protocol that text views implement to receive input from the user's keyboard and mouse.
Events & Other Input 2006-05-23
NSTextInputClient Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving keyboard input as properly formed text.
Events & Other Input 2008-10-15
NSTimer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a timer.
Events & Other Input 2008-11-19
NSTrackingArea Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a view region used for mouse tracking and cursor updating.
Events & Other Input 2007-03-09
NSView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for drawing, event handling, and printing in views.
Events & Other Input 2009-02-04
NSWindow Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a window.
Events & Other Input 2009-03-04
Disc Recording Framework Reference (HTML)
Describes the Objective-C and C API for burning audio and data CDs and DVDs.
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.
File Management 2008-04-08
NSDirectoryEnumerator Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the facility for enumerating the contents of a directory.
File Management 2008-10-15
NSFileHandle Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an object for accessing files or communication channels.
File Management 2008-10-15
NSFileManager Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an object that performs file-system operations.
File Management 2008-10-15
NSFileWrapper Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a representation of a file-system node.
File Management 2008-10-15
NSInputStream Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a read-only data stream.
File Management 2007-04-05
NSMetadataItem Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the metadata of a file.
File Management 2006-05-23
NSMetadataQuery Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a Spotlight query for file metadata.
File Management 2007-04-02
NSMetadataQueryAttributeValueTuple Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes metadata query results.
File Management 2007-04-02
NSMetadataQueryResultGroup Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a group of metadata query result objects.
File Management 2007-04-02
NSOpenPanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the panel that a user employs to locate and open a file.
File Management 2009-02-04
NSOutputStream Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a write-only data stream.
File Management 2009-01-06
NSSavePanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the panel that a user employs to set a file-system location and save a file.
File Management 2009-02-04
NSStream Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an interface for reading and writing data.
File Management 2008-10-15
Spotlight Metadata Attributes Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes metadata attributes used with Spotlight.
File Management 2007-05-22
NSAnimation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the behavior of an animation.
Games 2007-10-31
Address Book Objective-C Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Cocoa API for supporting and working with Address Book.
General 2007-07-08
Application Kit Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for all things related to an application's user interface.
General 2008-11-19
Calendar Store Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Calendar Store framework classes and methods used to access iCal data.
General 2007-07-08
Core Data Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API for the Core Data framework.
General 2007-07-24
Foundation Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Foundation framework API.
General 2008-06-27
Preference Panes Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API for supporting and working with preference panes.
General 2006-05-23
Screen Saver Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API for supporting and working with screen effects.
General 2006-05-23
Security Interface Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API for creating views and dialogs relating to authorization, certificates, and keychains.
General 2006-07-14
WebKit Objective-C Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API used to display web content in windows.
General 2008-10-15
CAAction Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving actions initiated by a layer.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-07-24
CAAnimation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for managing the actions and timing of an animation.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-10-31
CAAnimationGroup Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a grouping of multiple animations into a single animation.
Graphics & Imaging 2008-03-11
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
CAConstraintLayoutManager Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a layout manager that applies a set of constraints to a layer tree.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-12-11
CAKeyframeAnimation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an animation that provides keyframe interpolation of a layer property.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-07-24
CALayer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a node of animated visual content.
Graphics & Imaging 2009-02-04
CALayoutManager Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving requests to arrange a layout tree.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-07-24
CAMediaTiming Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for the time behavior of an animation.
Graphics & Imaging 2009-03-04
CAMediaTimingFunction Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the pacing of an animation as a timing curve.
Graphics & Imaging 2008-07-11
CAOpenGLLayer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a layer that acts as a target for OpenGL commands.
Graphics & Imaging 2008-03-11
CAPropertyAnimation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for manipulating values of layer properties.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-07-24
CARenderer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an object that draws a layer to a Core Graphics context.
Graphics & Imaging 2008-04-30
CAScrollLayer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a layer that displays a scrollable portion of another layer.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-07-24
CATextLayer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a layer that draws text.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-12-11
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
CATransition Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides transition animations to layers.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-10-31
CIColor Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes additions to support Cocoa color information.
Graphics & Imaging 2006-05-23
CIColor Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to manage color values and color spaces for Core Image filters.
Graphics & Imaging 2006-12-05
CIContext Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides an evaluation context for rendering a Core Image image through Quartz 2D or OpenGL.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-03-16
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
CIFilter Core Animation Additions (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the category that extends Core Image filters for use with Layer Kit.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-07-24
CIFilter Image Kit Additions (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the category that extends Core Image filters for use with Image Kit.
Graphics & Imaging 2006-12-06
CIFilterGenerator Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that supports chaining together image processing filters.
Graphics & Imaging 2006-12-05
CIFilterShape Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that defines the bounding shape of a filter and the domain of definition of a filter operation.
Graphics & Imaging 2006-12-07
CIImage Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes additions for manipulating Cocoa images.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-06-08
CIImage Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that represents an immutable Core Image image.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-10-31
CIImageAccumulator Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that enables feedback-based image processing.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-01-05
CIImageProvider Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol used to supply bitmap data for creating or initializing a Core Image image.
Graphics & Imaging 2006-12-05
CIKernel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that operates on individual pixels using a kernel routine.
Graphics & Imaging 2006-12-05
CIPlugIn Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that is responsible for loading image units.
Graphics & Imaging 2006-12-05
CIPlugInRegistration Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol used to load Core Image image units.
Graphics & Imaging 2006-12-07
CISampler Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that retrieves samples of images that are then processed by a Core Image kernel.
Graphics & Imaging 2006-12-07
CIVector Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to pass parameter values to Core Image filters.
Graphics & Imaging 2006-12-07
Core Animation Function Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C functions that support Core Animation.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-07-24
Core Animation Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for Core Animation.
Graphics & Imaging 2008-06-26
Core Image Kernel Language Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the symbols for writing image-processing kernels.
Graphics & Imaging 2008-06-09
Core Image Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API for using and creating filters for image processing.
Graphics & Imaging 2006-12-05
IKFilterBrowserPanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides the panel contained in a filter browser.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-10-31
IKFilterBrowserView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that supports browsing Core Image filters.
Graphics & Imaging 2006-12-06
IKFilterCustomUIProvider Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Descibes the protocol that defines a method for providing a view for a filter.
Graphics & Imaging 2006-12-07
IKFilterUIView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides a user interface for Core Image filters.
Graphics & Imaging 2006-12-06
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
IKImageBrowserDelegate Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol for the delegate of an image browser view.
Graphics & Imaging 2006-12-07
IKImageBrowserItem Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol used by an image browser view to access the data source for an item.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-01-12
IKImageBrowserView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that can display and browse a large amount of images and movies in an efficient manner.
Graphics & Imaging 2006-12-13
IKImageEditPanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides a panel optimized for image editing.
Graphics & Imaging 2006-12-06
IKImageEditPanelDataSource Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the mthods than an image edit panel object uses to access the contents of its data source object.
Graphics & Imaging 2006-12-06
IKImageView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to display images efficiently at the same time it supports image editing.
Graphics & Imaging 2008-04-08
IKPictureTaker Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Descibes the class that provides a panel for choosing images.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-10-31
IKSaveOptions Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that initializes, adds, and manages user interface options for saving image data.
Graphics & Imaging 2006-12-06
IKSlideshow Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that encapsulates a data source and options for a slideshow.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-10-31
IKSlideshowDataSource Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the methods that a slideshow object uses to access the contents of its data source object.
Graphics & Imaging 2009-03-04
Image Kit Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API for providing a user interface for images, image editing, and image processing.
Graphics & Imaging 2006-12-06
NSAffineTransform Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes additions to support affine transformations.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-02-28
NSAffineTransform Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an affine transformation from one coordinate space to another.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-01-15
NSAlert Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a window that displays a message and obtains the user's response to it.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-04-25