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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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Accessibility (ApplicationServices/HIServices) Reference (HTML)
Describes the low-level API for making applications accessible to assistive applications.
Accessibility 2008-10-15
Carbon Accessibility Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for making Carbon applications accessible to assistive technologies.
Accessibility 2006-02-07
Force Feedback Framework Reference (HTML)
Describes the public interfaces to the Force Feedback implementation in Mac OS X, including support for plug-ins.
Accessibility 2008-04-08
NSSpeechSynthesizer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Cocoa parser that converts text to speech.
Accessibility 2009-01-06
Speech Recognition Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C interface for recognizing and accepting spoken input.
Accessibility 2003-02-01
Speech Synthesis Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for converting text into synthesized speech.
Accessibility 2009-04-08
Backup Core Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for managing the backup exclusion status of files and folders.
Apple Applications 2006-07-31
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
Dashboard Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for implementing Dashboard widgets.
Apple Applications 2009-02-04
Identity Services Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the APIs for using identities and the Identity Picker.
Apple Applications 2007-05-14
Appearance Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for coordinating the look of the standard Mac OS human interface.
Carbon 2007-01-23
Apple Help Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for finding and displaying help content using Apple's HTML-based help system.
Carbon 2006-07-12
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
Carbon Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes many fundamental user experience APIs used in Carbon applications.
Carbon 2007-10-31
Carbon Help Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for displaying short onscreen hints in help tags.
Carbon 2004-03-01
Control Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating and manipulating Carbon controls.
Carbon 2007-03-26
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
Dialog Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C interface for implementing alerts and dialog boxes.
Carbon 2007-10-31
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 2008-04-08
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
Drag Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for dragging objects within the user interface.
Carbon 2006-07-12
Find By Content Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Describes the legacy C API for performing relevance-ranked searches. Replaced by Search Kit.
Carbon 2006-07-13
Finder Interface Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes several C data types used by the Finder to contain information about file system objects.
Carbon 2006-10-31
Fonts Panel Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for providing a Fonts window in a Carbon application.
Carbon 2007-02-26
HIArchive Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for storing and retrieving data in HIArchives.
Carbon 2005-08-11
HIObject Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating and manipulating human interface objects in Carbon applications.
Carbon 2005-08-11
HIShape Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Carbon API for manipulating HIShape objects.
Carbon 2004-06-28
HIToolbar Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating and manipulating toolbars in Carbon applications.
Carbon 2005-09-08
HIView Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating and manipulating view-based controls and menus in Carbon applications.
Carbon 2007-04-13
Icon Services and Utilities Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for manipulating and drawing icons in Carbon applications.
Carbon 2007-04-06
Interface Builder Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for unarchiving interface objects.
Carbon 2004-02-17
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
Menu Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating and managing an application's menus.
Carbon 2006-09-15
Navigation Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for presenting a user interface for opening, saving, and navigating files.
Carbon 2006-08-16
Preferences Utilities Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes Core Foundation preferences functions.
Carbon 2007-10-31
QLPreviewRequest Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an opaque type for handling requests for Quick Look document previews.
Carbon 2007-04-20
QLThumbnailRequest Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an opaque type for handling requests for Quick Look thumbnail images.
Carbon 2007-10-31
Quick Look Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for creating plug-ins that generate Quick Look previews and thumbnails.
Carbon 2007-04-13
Search Kit Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for supporting user searches of textual content.
Carbon 2009-05-06
Speech Recognition Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C interface for recognizing and accepting spoken input.
Carbon 2003-02-01
Speech Synthesis Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for converting text into synthesized speech.
Carbon 2009-04-08
WebKit C Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for displaying web content in windows.
Carbon 2008-10-15
Window Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating and manipulating Carbon windows.
Carbon 2007-10-31
Application Kit Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for all things related to an application's user interface.
Cocoa 2008-11-19
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.
Cocoa 2008-04-08
Find By Content Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Describes the legacy C API for performing relevance-ranked searches. Replaced by Search Kit.
Cocoa 2006-07-13
NSActionCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for the active area in a control.
Cocoa 2007-02-28
NSAlert Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a window that displays a message and obtains the user's response to it.
Cocoa 2007-04-25
NSBox Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a view that can display its border and a title.
Cocoa 2008-10-15
NSBrowser Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control for manipulating one- or two-dimensional data sets.
Cocoa 2007-04-05
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
NSButtonCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a cell that responds to mouse clicks.
Cocoa 2009-04-08
NSCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for cell objects.
Cocoa 2009-02-04
NSColorPicker Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for custom views in a color panel used for color selection.
Cocoa 2007-02-28
NSColorPickingCustom Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving custom color-picker user-interface requests.
Cocoa 2007-04-01
NSColorPickingDefault Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving basic color-picker user-interface requests.
Cocoa 2007-04-27
NSColorWell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control for displaying and selecting colors.
Cocoa 2007-02-28
NSComboBox Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control for entering text or selecting from a pop-up list of items.
Cocoa 2006-05-23
NSComboBoxCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the text field that provides the user interface for NSComboBox objects.
Cocoa 2006-05-23
NSComboBoxCellDataSource Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving data requests from an NSComboBoxCell object.
Cocoa 2006-05-23
NSComboBoxDataSource Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving data requests from an NSComboBox object.
Cocoa 2006-05-23
NSControl Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for views that respond to user actions by sending action messages.
Cocoa 2008-10-15
NSCursor Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the appearance of the user interface cursor.
Cocoa 2009-01-06
NSDateFormatter Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a date formatter.
Cocoa 2008-11-19
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
NSDrawer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a retractable user interface element that displays view objects.
Cocoa 2006-05-23
NSErrorRecoveryAttempting Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for attempting recovery from runtime errors.
Cocoa 2007-02-23
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
NSForm Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a vertical matrix of NSFormCell objects.
Cocoa 2006-05-23
NSFormatter Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for formatter objects.
Cocoa 2007-07-09
NSFormCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a title and text entry field in an NSForm object.
Cocoa 2006-05-23
NSHelpManager Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an application-level help system.
Cocoa 2009-02-04
NSImageCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an object that displays an image in a frame, usually in a control.
Cocoa 2009-01-06
NSImageView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a view that displays an image.
Cocoa 2007-01-22
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
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
NSLevelIndicator Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control for displaying a rank or amount along a linear scale.
Cocoa 2007-03-01
NSLevelIndicatorCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a cell used for displaying a rank or amount along a linear scale.
Cocoa 2007-03-01
NSLocale Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a locale.
Cocoa 2008-02-08
NSMatrix Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a group of cell objects that work together in various ways.
Cocoa 2008-10-15
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
NSMenuItem Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Describes a deprecated protocol replaced by the NSMenuItem class.
Cocoa 2007-02-08
NSMenuItemCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a deprecated class replaced by the NSMenuItem class.
Cocoa 2007-03-07
NSMenuValidation Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for enabling and disabling menu items.
Cocoa 2007-03-02
NSMenuView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a deprecated class replaced by the NSMenu class.
Cocoa 2009-02-04
NSNumberFormatter Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a number formatter.
Cocoa 2008-11-19
NSOpenGLView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a view for OpenGL drawing.
Cocoa 2007-01-26
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
NSPanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a window for performing auxiliary functions in an application.
Cocoa 2009-01-06
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
NSPreferencePane Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Defines the interface for subclasses to provide preference panes to System Preferences or other applications.
Cocoa 2006-05-23
NSProgressIndicator Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control that shows that a lengthy task is under way.
Cocoa 2008-03-11
NSRuleEditor Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a graphical rule editor.
Cocoa 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.
Cocoa 2009-02-04
NSScroller Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control for scrolling a document view within a scroll view.
Cocoa 2009-04-08
NSScrollView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a view for displaying content larger than its bounds.
Cocoa 2006-05-23
NSSearchField Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a text field optimized for entering a search query.
Cocoa 2006-05-23
NSSearchFieldCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a search field cell.
Cocoa 2008-03-11
NSSecureTextField Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a text field that hides its text.
Cocoa 2006-05-23
NSSecureTextFieldCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the user interface of a secure text field.
Cocoa 2007-10-31
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
NSSlider Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control for selecting a value from a continuous range of values.
Cocoa 2006-05-23
NSSliderCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an action cell that provides appearance and behavior for an NSSlider object.
Cocoa 2006-05-23
NSSpeechRecognizer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Cocoa command-and-control voice recognition system.
Cocoa 2007-04-03
NSSpeechSynthesizer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Cocoa parser that converts text to speech.
Cocoa 2009-01-06
NSSplitView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a container for subviews with a user-controlled portion of each visible.
Cocoa 2009-04-08
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
NSStepper Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control that can increment and decrement a value.
Cocoa 2006-05-23
NSStepperCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an action cell that provides appearance and behavior for an NSStepper object.
Cocoa 2006-05-23
NSTableColumn Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the display characteristics and attribute identifiers for a column in a table view.
Cocoa 2007-10-31
NSTableDataSource Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving table view data requests.
Cocoa 2007-04-10
NSTableHeaderCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the user interface of a column header of a table view.
Cocoa 2006-05-23
NSTableHeaderView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a column header of a table view.
Cocoa 2006-05-23
NSTableView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a view that displays and manages tabular data.
Cocoa
NSTabView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a view that supports switching between subviews.
Cocoa 2006-05-23
NSTabViewItem Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a single view in a tab view.
Cocoa 2006-05-23
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
NSTokenField Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a text field that provides tokenized editing.
Cocoa 2008-10-15
NSTokenFieldCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a cell used in the conversion of entered text into tokens representing objects.
Cocoa 2007-03-05
NSToolbar Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a toolbar in a window's title bar.
Cocoa 2008-10-15
NSToolbarItem Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a single item in a window's toolbar.
Cocoa 2006-06-28
NSToolbarItemGroup Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a group of items in a window's toolbar.
Cocoa 2007-04-11
NSToolbarItemValidation Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for providing customized enabling and disabling of a toolbar item.
Cocoa 2006-05-23
NSToolTipOwner Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving requests for tooltip text.
Cocoa 2006-05-23
NSUserDefaults Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an object for managing preference information.
Cocoa 2009-04-08
NSUserInterfaceValidations Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for participating in automatic enabling and disabling of controls.
Cocoa 2006-05-23
NSViewAnimation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an animation in a view or window.
Cocoa 2006-05-23
NSWindow Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a window.
Cocoa 2009-03-04
NSWindowScripting Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the category on NSWindow for scripting basic properties and commands of windows in scriptable applications.
Cocoa 2006-05-23
QLPreviewRequest Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an opaque type for handling requests for Quick Look document previews.
Cocoa 2007-04-20
QLThumbnailRequest Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an opaque type for handling requests for Quick Look thumbnail images.
Cocoa 2007-10-31
Quick Look Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for creating plug-ins that generate Quick Look previews and thumbnails.
Cocoa 2007-04-13
Screen Saver Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API for supporting and working with screen effects.
Cocoa 2006-05-23
Search Kit Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for supporting user searches of textual content.
Cocoa 2009-05-06
Installer JavaScript Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the JavaScript object model used in distribution definition files.
Files & Software Installation 2008-12-16
QLPreviewRequest Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an opaque type for handling requests for Quick Look document previews.
Files & Software Installation 2007-04-20
QLThumbnailRequest Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an opaque type for handling requests for Quick Look thumbnail images.
Files & Software Installation 2007-10-31
Quick Look Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for creating plug-ins that generate Quick Look previews and thumbnails.
Files & Software Installation 2007-04-13
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
Core Services Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for many fundamental operating system services.
General 2007-10-31
Apple Help Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for finding and displaying help content using Apple's HTML-based help system.
Help Technologies 2006-07-12
Carbon Help Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for displaying short onscreen hints in help tags.
Help Technologies 2004-03-01
NSAlert Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a window that displays a message and obtains the user's response to it.
Help Technologies 2007-04-25
NSHelpManager Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an application-level help system.
Help Technologies 2009-02-04
Force Feedback Framework Reference (HTML)
Describes the public interfaces to the Force Feedback implementation in Mac OS X, including support for plug-ins.
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
Speech Recognition Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C interface for recognizing and accepting spoken input.
Speech Technologies 2003-02-01
Speech Synthesis Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for converting text into synthesized speech.
Speech Technologies 2009-04-08
Dictionary Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C and C routines that support programmatic access to dictionaries.
Text & Fonts 2007-05-29
IMKCandidates Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that supports the use of candidate windows for an input method.
Text & Fonts 2007-06-05
IMKInputController Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that controls input on the input method side.
Text & Fonts 2007-06-06
IMKMouseHandling Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol used to receive mouse events for an input method client session.
Text & Fonts 2007-06-05
IMKServer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that manages connections to input method clients.
Text & Fonts 2007-06-06
IMKServerInput Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol used to receive text events.
Text & Fonts 2009-05-06
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
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