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Leopard Reference
User experience encompasses the visual appearance, interactive behavior, and assistive capabilities of software. From an application's graphical user interface to its use of additional technologies such as speech recognition and speech synthesis, a cohesive and professional user experience is what Mac users have come to expect.

A guided introduction for developers new to adopting the Mac OS X user experience.   Essential information for developers implementing application user interfaces.   APIs for implementing the look and feel of Mac OS X application software.
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IMKServerInput Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol used to receive text events.
Text & Fonts 2009-05-06
NSSegmentedCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an action cell that provides appearance and behavior for an NSSegmentedControl object.
Cocoa 2009-05-06
NSSegmentedControl Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a horizontal button divided into multiple segments
Cocoa 2009-05-06
Search Kit Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for supporting user searches of textual content.
Carbon, Cocoa 2009-05-06
NSButtonCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a cell that responds to mouse clicks.
Cocoa 2009-04-08
NSScroller Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control for scrolling a document view within a scroll view.
Cocoa 2009-04-08
NSSplitView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a container for subviews with a user-controlled portion of each visible.
Cocoa 2009-04-08
NSUserDefaults Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an object for managing preference information.
Cocoa 2009-04-08
Speech Synthesis Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for converting text into synthesized speech.
Accessibility, Carbon, Speech Technologies 2009-04-08
NSWindow Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a window.
Cocoa 2009-03-04
Dashboard Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for implementing Dashboard widgets.
Apple Applications 2009-02-04
NSCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for cell objects.
Cocoa 2009-02-04
NSHelpManager Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an application-level help system.
Cocoa, Help Technologies 2009-02-04
NSMenuView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a deprecated class replaced by the NSMenu class.
Cocoa 2009-02-04
NSOpenPanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the panel that a user employs to locate and open a file.
Cocoa 2009-02-04
NSOutlineView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a row-and-column format view for displaying hierarchical data.
Cocoa 2009-02-04
NSSavePanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the panel that a user employs to set a file-system location and save a file.
Cocoa 2009-02-04
NSCursor Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the appearance of the user interface cursor.
Cocoa 2009-01-06
NSImageCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an object that displays an image in a frame, usually in a control.
Cocoa 2009-01-06
NSPanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a window for performing auxiliary functions in an application.
Cocoa 2009-01-06
NSSpeechSynthesizer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Cocoa parser that converts text to speech.
Accessibility, Cocoa 2009-01-06
NSTextField Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control that displays editable text.
Cocoa 2009-01-06
NSTextFieldCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the user interface of a text field.
Cocoa 2009-01-06
Installer JavaScript Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the JavaScript object model used in distribution definition files.
Files & Software Installation 2008-12-16
Application Kit Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for all things related to an application's user interface.
Cocoa 2008-11-19
NSDateFormatter Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a date formatter.
Cocoa 2008-11-19
NSNumberFormatter Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a number formatter.
Cocoa 2008-11-19
Accessibility (ApplicationServices/HIServices) Reference (HTML)
Describes the low-level API for making applications accessible to assistive applications.
Accessibility 2008-10-15
NSBox Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a view that can display its border and a title.
Cocoa 2008-10-15
NSControl Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for views that respond to user actions by sending action messages.
Cocoa 2008-10-15
NSMatrix Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a group of cell objects that work together in various ways.
Cocoa 2008-10-15
NSPopUpButton Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control for displaying pull-down or pop-up lists of items.
Cocoa 2008-10-15
NSPopUpButtonCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a cell used in the display of pull-down or pop-up menus.
Cocoa 2008-10-15
NSTokenField Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a text field that provides tokenized editing.
Cocoa 2008-10-15
NSToolbar Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a toolbar in a window's title bar.
Cocoa 2008-10-15
WebKit C Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for displaying web content in windows.
Carbon 2008-10-15
NSDatePicker Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control for displaying and editing a date.
Cocoa 2008-06-09
NSDatePickerCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a cell for displaying and editing a date.
Cocoa 2008-06-09
Data Browser Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API used to display data in list or column views similar to the Finder.
Carbon 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.
Carbon, Cocoa 2008-04-08
Force Feedback Framework Reference (HTML)
Describes the public interfaces to the Force Feedback implementation in Mac OS X, including support for plug-ins.
Accessibility, Human Interface Device & Force Feedback 2008-04-08
Latent Semantic Mapping Reference (HTML)
Describes the C API for classifying text and other token-based content based on latent semantic information.
Speech Technologies 2008-04-08
NSProgressIndicator Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control that shows that a lengthy task is under way.
Cocoa 2008-03-11
NSSearchFieldCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a search field cell.
Cocoa 2008-03-11
NSLocale Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a locale.
Cocoa 2008-02-08
NSMenu Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an application menu.
Cocoa 2008-02-08
NSMenuItem Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a menu item.
Cocoa 2008-02-08
NSRuleEditor Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a graphical rule editor.
Cocoa 2008-02-08
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.
Carbon 2007-12-11
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.
Carbon 2007-12-04
Application Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for performing various application-level tasks in a Carbon application. Formerly titled Dock Manager Reference.
Carbon 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
Carbon Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes many fundamental user experience APIs used in Carbon applications.
Carbon 2007-10-31
Core Services Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for many fundamental operating system services.
General 2007-10-31
Dialog Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C interface for implementing alerts and dialog boxes.
Carbon 2007-10-31
NSSecureTextFieldCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the user interface of a secure text field.
Cocoa 2007-10-31
NSTableColumn Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the display characteristics and attribute identifiers for a column in a table view.
Cocoa 2007-10-31
Preferences Utilities Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes Core Foundation preferences functions.
Carbon 2007-10-31
QLThumbnailRequest Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an opaque type for handling requests for Quick Look thumbnail images.
Carbon, Cocoa, Files & Software Installation 2007-10-31
Window Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating and manipulating Carbon windows.
Carbon 2007-10-31
NSFormatter Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for formatter objects.
Cocoa 2007-07-09
IMKInputController Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that controls input on the input method side.
Text & Fonts 2007-06-06
IMKServer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that manages connections to input method clients.
Text & Fonts 2007-06-06
Input Method Kit Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for building input methods for Chinese, Japanese, and other languages.
Text & Fonts 2007-06-06
IMKCandidates Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that supports the use of candidate windows for an input method.
Text & Fonts 2007-06-05
IMKMouseHandling Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol used to receive mouse events for an input method client session.
Text & Fonts 2007-06-05
IMKStateSetting Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol used to set or access state values for an input method client session.
Text & Fonts 2007-06-05
IMKTextInput Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol used to send and obtain data from an input method client session.
Text & Fonts 2007-06-05
Dictionary Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C and C routines that support programmatic access to dictionaries.
Text & Fonts 2007-05-29
CBGroupIdentity Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for operating on user identities.
Apple Applications 2007-05-14
CBIdentity Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to create and operate on identities.
Apple Applications 2007-05-14
CBIdentityAuthority Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to manipulate identity authority databases.
Apple Applications 2007-05-14
CBIdentityPicker Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that manages the identity picker.
Apple Applications 2007-05-14
CBUserIdentity Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for operating on user identities.
Apple Applications 2007-05-14
Collaboration Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API for monitoring and editing identities.
Apple Applications 2007-05-14
Identity Services Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the APIs for using identities and the Identity Picker.
Apple Applications 2007-05-14
NSColorPickingDefault Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving basic color-picker user-interface requests.
Cocoa 2007-04-27
NSAlert Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a window that displays a message and obtains the user's response to it.
Cocoa, Help Technologies 2007-04-25
QLPreviewRequest Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an opaque type for handling requests for Quick Look document previews.
Carbon, Cocoa, Files & Software Installation 2007-04-20
HIView Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating and manipulating view-based controls and menus in Carbon applications.
Carbon 2007-04-13
Quick Look Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for creating plug-ins that generate Quick Look previews and thumbnails.
Carbon, Cocoa, Files & Software Installation 2007-04-13
NSToolbarItemGroup Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a group of items in a window's toolbar.
Cocoa 2007-04-11
NSTableDataSource Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving table view data requests.
Cocoa 2007-04-10
Icon Services and Utilities Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for manipulating and drawing icons in Carbon applications.
Carbon 2007-04-06
NSFontPanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the panel for font selection.
Cocoa 2007-04-06
NSFontPanelValidation Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for validating fonts.
Cocoa 2007-04-06
NSBrowser Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control for manipulating one- or two-dimensional data sets.
Cocoa 2007-04-05
NSSpeechRecognizer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Cocoa command-and-control voice recognition system.
Cocoa 2007-04-03
NSInputServerMouseTracker Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol implemented by text input servers to handle mouse events.
Cocoa 2007-04-02
NSInputServiceProvider Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol implemented by text input servers to handle application and text field events.
Cocoa 2007-04-02
NSBrowserCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a cell that displays data in a browser.
Cocoa 2007-04-01
NSButton Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control that responds to clicks.
Cocoa 2007-04-01
NSColorPickingCustom Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving custom color-picker user-interface requests.
Cocoa 2007-04-01
NSInputManager Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used by text views to communicate with the text input management system.
Cocoa 2007-04-01
NSInputServer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that interprets text view events and communicates them to the text input management system.
Cocoa 2007-04-01
Control Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating and manipulating Carbon controls.
Carbon 2007-03-26
NSMenuItemCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a deprecated class replaced by the NSMenuItem class.
Cocoa 2007-03-07
NSStatusBar Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the collection of status items in the menu bar.
Cocoa 2007-03-05
NSStatusItem Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a status item in the menu bar.
Cocoa 2007-03-05
NSTokenFieldCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a cell used in the conversion of entered text into tokens representing objects.
Cocoa 2007-03-05