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Leopard Reference Library: Cocoa
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. Cocoa provides a complete suite of Interface Builder palettes and programmatic interfaces that developers can use to deliver this experience in their applications.

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NSSegmentedCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an action cell that provides appearance and behavior for an NSSegmentedControl object.
Reference 2009-05-06
NSSegmentedControl Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a horizontal button divided into multiple segments
Reference 2009-05-06
Search Kit Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for supporting user searches of textual content.
Reference 2009-05-06
NSButtonCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a cell that responds to mouse clicks.
Reference 2009-04-08
NSScroller Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control for scrolling a document view within a scroll view.
Reference 2009-04-08
NSSplitView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a container for subviews with a user-controlled portion of each visible.
Reference 2009-04-08
NSUserDefaults Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an object for managing preference information.
Reference 2009-04-08
WebArchive Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for archiving a web page and all of its related resources.
Reference 2009-04-08
WebEditingDelegate Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol adopted by WebView objects to change the view's default editing behavior.
Reference 2009-04-08
WebFrame Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for encapsulating the data displayed within a WebFrameView object.
Reference 2009-04-08
WebFrameLoadDelegate Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol adopted by WebView frame load delegates to be notified while frame loads are in progress.
Reference 2009-04-08
WebJavaPlugIn Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol for running Java applets from within a WebView.
Reference 2009-04-08
WebOpenPanelResultListener Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol adopted by WebView delegates to communicate with an Open dialog.
Reference 2009-04-08
WebPlugIn Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol adopted by an application using the Web Kit and any Web Kit-based plug-ins.
Reference 2009-04-08
WebPlugInContainer Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol that enables a plug-in to send messages to an application.
Reference 2009-04-08
WebPlugInViewFactory Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol used to create an NSView object for a plug-in.
Reference 2009-04-08
WebPolicyDelegate Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol used to modify the policy decisions that are made when handling URLs or the data they represent.
Reference 2009-04-08
WebResource Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for downloaded data and its related properties, such as its URL and MIME type.
Reference 2009-04-08
WebScripting Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol that defines methods that classes can implement to expose their interfaces to a WebScript environment.
Reference 2009-04-08
WebScriptObject Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for bridging a web view's scripting environment and the Objective-C runtime.
Reference 2009-04-08
WebView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for embedding web content in a window.
Reference 2009-04-08
Cocoa Bindings Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to rapidly develop sophisticated user interfaces using Cocoa binding technology.
Guides 2009-03-08
Dock Tile Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to provide an icon and contextual menu in Carbon applications.
Guides 2009-03-04
NSDockTile Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for customizing an application's dock tiles
Reference 2009-03-04
NSWindow Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a window.
Reference 2009-03-04
WebDocumentText Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol adopted by document view objects to support working with text.
Reference 2009-03-04
WebFrameView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for displaying the actual web content contained in a frame.
Reference 2009-03-04
WebHistory Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for maintaining a set of pages visited by users.
Reference 2009-03-04
WebPolicyDecisionListener Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol for handling download decisions asynchronously.
Reference 2009-03-04
WebUIDelegate Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol used to control user interface-related aspects, such as opening windows and augmenting default menus.
Reference 2009-03-04
Dialogs and Special Panels (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to create alert panels. Includes links to documents about other types of panels.
Guides 2009-02-04
DOMNode Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API added to the DOMNode class to facilitate communication between WebKit and the DOM API.
Reference 2009-02-04
NSCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for cell objects.
Reference 2009-02-04
NSHelpManager Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an application-level help system.
Reference 2009-02-04
NSMenuView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a deprecated class replaced by the NSMenu class.
Reference 2009-02-04
NSOpenPanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the panel that a user employs to locate and open a file.
Reference 2009-02-04
NSOutlineView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a row-and-column format view for displaying hierarchical data.
Reference 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.
Reference 2009-02-04
Toolbar Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa toolbars.
Guides 2009-02-04
WebBackForwardList Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for tracking a list of visited pages with relation to the most recent page.
Reference 2009-02-04
Window Programming Guide for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa windows and panels.
Guides 2009-02-04
DOMHTMLDocument Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API added to the DOMHTMLDocument class to facilitate communication between WebKit and the DOM API.
Reference 2009-01-26
NSCursor Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the appearance of the user interface cursor.
Reference 2009-01-06
NSImageCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an object that displays an image in a frame, usually in a control.
Reference 2009-01-06
NSPanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a window for performing auxiliary functions in an application.
Reference 2009-01-06
NSSpeechSynthesizer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Cocoa parser that converts text to speech.
Reference 2009-01-06
NSTextField Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control that displays editable text.
Reference 2009-01-06
NSTextFieldCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the user interface of a text field.
Reference 2009-01-06
Application Kit Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for all things related to an application's user interface.
Reference 2008-11-19
NSDateFormatter Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a date formatter.
Reference 2008-11-19
NSNumberFormatter Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a number formatter.
Reference 2008-11-19
Button Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa buttons.
Guides 2008-10-15
Control and Cell Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains the relationship between Cocoa control and cell objects.
Guides 2008-10-15
DOMDocument Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API added to the DOMDocument class to facilitate communication between WebKit and the DOM API.
Reference 2008-10-15
DOMElement Additions Reference (HTML)
Describes the API added to the DOMElement class to facilitate communication between WebKit and the DOM API.
Reference 2008-10-15
DOMRange Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API added to the DOMRange class to facilitate communication between WebKit and the DOM API.
Reference 2008-10-15
NSBox Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a view that can display its border and a title.
Reference 2008-10-15
NSControl Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for views that respond to user actions by sending action messages.
Reference 2008-10-15
NSMatrix Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a group of cell objects that work together in various ways.
Reference 2008-10-15
NSPasteboard Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a pasteboard.
Reference 2008-10-15
NSPopUpButton Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control for displaying pull-down or pop-up lists of items.
Reference 2008-10-15
NSPopUpButtonCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a cell used in the display of pull-down or pop-up menus.
Reference 2008-10-15
NSPredicateEditor Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a graphical predicate editor.
Reference 2008-10-15
NSTokenField Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a text field that provides tokenized editing.
Reference 2008-10-15
NSToolbar Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a toolbar in a window's title bar.
Reference 2008-10-15
WebDataSource Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for encapsulating web content for display in a web frame view.
Reference 2008-10-15
WebDocumentView Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol adopted by document view objects to display data of different MIME types.
Reference 2008-10-15
WebDownload Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for providing an authentication sheet before a download begins.
Reference 2008-10-15
WebHistoryItem Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for encapsulating information about a visited page.
Reference 2008-10-15
WebKit Constants Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the types and constants found in the WebKit framework.
Reference 2008-10-15
WebKit Objective-C Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API used to display web content in windows.
Reference 2008-10-15
WebKit Objective-C Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use the WebKit to embed web content in both Cocoa and Carbon applications.
Guides 2008-10-15
WebPreferences Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for the preferences you can change per WebView object, such as font, text encoding, and image settings.
Reference 2008-10-15
Squiggles (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates many Cocoa fundamentals in a Document-based Application featuring custom drawing and event-handling.
Sample Code 2008-08-29
Requirements for Quartz GL (HTML)
QA1536: Describes the requirements for enabling Quartz GL.
Technical Q&As 2008-08-08
Image Kit with Core Data (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Using Image Kit's browser view with Core Data content.
Sample Code 2008-07-25
WebResourceLoadDelegate Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol used to be notified on the progress of loading individual resources.
Reference 2008-06-19
Apple Human Interface Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the Mac OS X user experience and explains how to design an application for Aqua.
Guides 2008-06-09
NSDatePicker Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control for displaying and editing a date.
Reference 2008-06-09
NSDatePickerCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a cell for displaying and editing a date.
Reference 2008-06-09
SpotlightFortunes (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to provision a Spotlight importer plug-in for a custom UTI, and how to use a NSMetadataQuery with bindings to display live query results in a table view.
Sample Code 2008-06-06
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.
Reference 2008-04-08
AbstractTree (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Using NSTreeController with NSOutlineView, Bindings, and Core Data.
Sample Code 2008-03-17
Cursor Management (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to set the cursor and handle cursor-update events in Cocoa applications.
Guides 2008-03-11
NSProgressIndicator Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control that shows that a lengthy task is under way.
Reference 2008-03-11
NSSearchFieldCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a search field cell.
Reference 2008-03-11
Suppressing the "unexpectedly quit" alert (HTML)
QA1288: Describes how to suppress the "unexpectedly quit" alert.
Technical Q&As 2008-03-11
CarbonCocoaTempConverter (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to integrate Carbon and Cocoa user interfaces in the same Cocoa application.
Sample Code 2008-03-10
PhotoSearch (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates advanced controls and cells. Custom drawing, hit testing, tracking, editing, expansion tooltips, tracking areas.
Sample Code 2008-03-05
Disabling text completion in an NSTextField (HTML)
QA1553: Shows how to implement a delegate method provided by NSControl to disable automatic text completion.
Technical Q&As 2008-02-27
NSDate - Natural language date parsing in early Leopard releases (HTML)
QA1581: Acknowledges a regression in +dateWithNaturalLanguageString: behavior of NSDate which is fixed as of 10.5.2.
Technical Q&As 2008-02-27
NSLocale Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a locale.
Reference 2008-02-08
NSMenu Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an application menu.
Reference 2008-02-08
NSMenuItem Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a menu item.
Reference 2008-02-08
NSRuleEditor Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a graphical rule editor.
Reference 2008-02-08
Quick Look Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the purporse and architecture of Quick Look generators and explains how to create them.
Guides 2008-02-08
Re-enabling dragging from NSTableView to other applications (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1220: Explains how to re-enable drag-and-drop from NSTableViews to other applications
Technical Q&As 2008-02-08
Search Fields (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa search fields.
Guides 2008-02-08
Connecting the Font Menu in Interface Builder 3 (HTML)
QA1571: How to connect and configure the Font/Format menus in Interface Builder 3.
Technical Q&As 2008-01-21
Enabling the application menu's "Preferences" menu item on Mac OS X (HTML)
QA1552: Describes the two things you need to implement to enable the "Preferences" menu item on Mac OS X.
Technical Q&As 2008-01-21
IconCollection (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use NSCollectionView along with NSWorkspace and named images to determine its content.
Sample Code 2008-01-18
DictionaryController (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
"DictionaryController" is a Cocoa application that demonstrates various ways in how to use the NSDictionaryController class.
Sample Code 2007-12-20
NSCollectionView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a collection of views that displays content in a grid.
Reference 2007-12-11
Token Field Programming Guide for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to set up and programatically manage a token field.
Guides 2007-12-11
SourceView (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use NSOutlineView driven by NSTreeController.
Sample Code 2007-11-15
CocoaSlides (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
An image browser written using AppKit's Core Animation-based compositing and animation functionality
Sample Code 2007-11-02
Apple Help Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to author, package, and display user help content in Mac OS X.
Guides 2007-10-31
Cocoa Bindings Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the exposed bindings of Cocoa classes.
Reference 2007-10-31
DiscRecording Release Notes (HTML)
Updated for Mac OS X v10.5
Release Notes 2007-10-31
NSAnimation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the behavior of an animation.
Reference 2007-10-31
NSSecureTextFieldCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the user interface of a secure text field.
Reference 2007-10-31
NSTableColumn Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the display characteristics and attribute identifiers for a column in a table view.
Reference 2007-10-31
QLThumbnailRequest Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an opaque type for handling requests for Quick Look thumbnail images.
Reference 2007-10-31
User Defaults Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use the Cocoa defaults system to create and save user preferences.
Guides 2007-10-31
ButtonMadness (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use the various types of buttons using a nib file or programatically.
Sample Code 2007-10-30
BundleLoader (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to load multiple Cocoa bundles or NSBundles (also known as plug-ins) into the main NSApplication.
Sample Code 2007-09-21
DockTile (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to customize your application's icon in the Dock by using the NSDockTile class.
Sample Code 2007-09-11
Adding and removing a submenu from a menu in Cocoa (HTML)
QA1420: Explains how to dynamically add and remove menus in a Cocoa application.
Technical Q&As 2007-09-10
SimpleCocoaApp (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
A basic Cocoa application for beginners to Cocoa and Objective-C.
Sample Code 2007-08-07
Preference Panes Reference Update (HTML) (PDF)
Summarizes the symbols added to the Preference Panes framework.
Release Notes 2007-07-18
Pasteboard Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to transfer data using pasteboard operations in Cocoa.
Guides 2007-07-13
User Interface Validation (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use the standard mechanism to validate user interface items in Cocoa.
Guides 2007-07-10
NSFormatter Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for formatter objects.
Reference 2007-07-09
Application Menu and Pop-up List Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how Cocoa menus and lists work and how to manipulate items within them.
Guides 2007-06-26
JavaFrameEmbedding example (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Small Cocoa application that demonstrates how to use JavaFrameEmbedding.framework
Sample Code 2007-06-12
LayerBackedOpenGLView (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
"LayerBackedOpenGLView" provides a simple example of hosting Cocoa controls as subviews of an NSOpenGLView.
Sample Code 2007-06-12
BasicCocoaAnimations (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
"BasicCocoaAnimations" demonstrates the use of the animator proxy to easily animate Cocoa views and windows.
Sample Code 2007-06-11
CustomSave (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to customize the NSSavePanel.
Sample Code 2007-06-11
MenuItemView (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates embedding an NSView inside a menu item or NSMenuItem.
Sample Code 2007-06-11
ViewController (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use "NSViewController".
Sample Code 2007-06-11
TrackBall (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to build a custom control based on the NSControl class.
Sample Code 2007-06-07
PredicateEditorSample (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use the NSPredicateEditor class.
Sample Code 2007-06-06
PrefsPane (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
A Cocoa sample System Preferences bundle that demonstrates how to use the NSPreferencePane class.
Sample Code 2007-06-06
SpeedometerView (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to make a custom NSView.
Sample Code 2007-06-06
Querying Metadata With Spotlight (HTML)
TN2192: Describes how a Cocoa application can search Spotlight metadata.
Technical Notes 2007-06-04
TextLayoutDemo (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Customizing NSTextView with NSLayoutManager and a custom NSTextContainer.
Sample Code 2007-06-01
ObjectPath (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use the NSPathControl class.
Sample Code 2007-05-22
Resolution Independence Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Describes resolution independence and how to start updating applications to support high-resolution monitors.
Guides 2007-05-04
NSViewController Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the manager of a view, usually a view stored in a nib file.
Reference 2007-05-02
NSColorPickingDefault Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving basic color-picker user-interface requests.
Reference 2007-04-27
DatePicker (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use the NSDatePicker control.
Sample Code 2007-04-25
NSAlert Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a window that displays a message and obtains the user's response to it.
Reference 2007-04-25
SearchField (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use and customize the features of the "NSSearchField" control.
Sample Code 2007-04-25
QLPreviewRequest Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an opaque type for handling requests for Quick Look document previews.
Reference 2007-04-20
Quick Look Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for creating plug-ins that generate Quick Look previews and thumbnails.
Reference 2007-04-13
NSPathCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the user interface of a path control object.
Reference 2007-04-11
NSPathCellDelegate Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface used to customize a pop-up-style control that represents a path.
Reference 2007-04-11
NSPathComponentCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a component of a path control.
Reference 2007-04-11
NSPathControl Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control representing a file path or virtual path.
Reference 2007-04-11
NSPathControlDelegate Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface used to support dragging and pop-up menu customization in path controls.
Reference 2007-04-11
NSToolbarItemGroup Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a group of items in a window's toolbar.
Reference 2007-04-11
NSTableDataSource Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving table view data requests.
Reference 2007-04-10
NSFontPanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the panel for font selection.
Reference 2007-04-06
NSFontPanelValidation Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for validating fonts.
Reference 2007-04-06
NSBrowser Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control for manipulating one- or two-dimensional data sets.
Reference 2007-04-05
NSSpeechRecognizer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Cocoa command-and-control voice recognition system.
Reference 2007-04-03
NSInputServerMouseTracker Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol implemented by text input servers to handle mouse events.
Reference 2007-04-02
NSInputServiceProvider Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol implemented by text input servers to handle application and text field events.
Reference 2007-04-02
NSBrowserCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a cell that displays data in a browser.
Reference 2007-04-01
NSButton Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control that responds to clicks.
Reference 2007-04-01
NSColorPickingCustom Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving custom color-picker user-interface requests.
Reference 2007-04-01
NSInputManager Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used by text views to communicate with the text input management system.
Reference 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.
Reference 2007-04-01
NSPrintPanelAccessorizing Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for configuring accessory panes for the print panel.
Reference 2007-03-09
NSMenuItemCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a deprecated class replaced by the NSMenuItem class.
Reference 2007-03-07
NSStatusBar Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the collection of status items in the menu bar.
Reference 2007-03-05
NSStatusItem Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a status item in the menu bar.
Reference 2007-03-05
NSTokenFieldCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a cell used in the conversion of entered text into tokens representing objects.
Reference 2007-03-05
TrackIt (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use the NSTrackingArea class.
Sample Code 2007-03-05
NSMenuValidation Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for enabling and disabling menu items.
Reference 2007-03-02
NSLevelIndicator Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control for displaying a rank or amount along a linear scale.
Reference 2007-03-01
NSLevelIndicatorCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a cell used for displaying a rank or amount along a linear scale.
Reference 2007-03-01
Grady (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use the NSGradient class.
Sample Code 2007-02-28
NSActionCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for the active area in a control.
Reference 2007-02-28
NSColorPicker Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for custom views in a color panel used for color selection.
Reference 2007-02-28
NSColorWell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control for displaying and selecting colors.
Reference 2007-02-28
NSErrorRecoveryAttempting Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for attempting recovery from runtime errors.
Reference 2007-02-23
TwoManyControllers (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
How to use an intermediate NSArrayController to populate an NSTableView across two to-many relationships.
Sample Code 2007-02-23
NSOutlineViewDataSource Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface used by an outline view to retrieve data and, optionally, to update data values.
Reference 2007-02-19
Accessibility Programming Guidelines for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how Cocoa applications make their user interface available to external assistive applications.
Guides 2007-02-08
NSMenuItem Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Describes a deprecated protocol replaced by the NSMenuItem class.
Reference 2007-02-08
Cocoa_With_Carbon_or_CPP (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to call Carbon routines and C++ code from within an Objective-C Cocoa program.
Sample Code 2007-02-05
NSOpenGLView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a view for OpenGL drawing.
Reference 2007-01-26
NSOpenPanel - Choosing any file and ignoring packages (HTML)
QA1468: Explains how to configure NSOpenPanel to filter only files and ignoring packages.
Technical Q&As 2007-01-25
Preventing column reordering in NSTableView (HTML)
QA1503: Demonstrates how to prevent column reordering of certain columns in NSTableView.
Technical Q&As 2007-01-24
Creating an About Panel in Your Cocoa Application (HTML)
TN2179: Describes different ways in implementing your Cocoa application's "About" panel.
Technical Notes 2007-01-22
NSImageView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a view that displays an image.
Reference 2007-01-22
CarbonCocoa_PictureCursor (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use NSCursor from a Carbon based application.
Sample Code 2007-01-12
NSPredicateEditorRowTemplate Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a row in a graphical predicate editor.
Reference 2007-01-12
NSCollectionViewItem Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a controller that mediates between a prototype view and a model object.
Reference 2006-12-28
Configuring the Recent Searches menu for NSSearchField (HTML)
QA1496: Discusses the common problem when adding menu items to the Recent Searches menu.
Technical Q&As 2006-11-27
NSProgressIndicator animation and redraw (HTML)
QA1473: Discusses why NSProgressIndicator does not redraw during progress loops.
Technical Q&As 2006-11-15
Debugging NSTableView's "Action Invocation" binding (HTML)
QA1472: Discusses the issues and factors that affect NSTableView's "Action Invocation" binding.
Technical Q&As 2006-11-13
Matrix Programming Guide for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa matrices.
Guides 2006-11-07
How to make NSTextField accept tab, return and enter keys. (HTML)
QA1454: Describes how to make the NSTextField control accept tab, return and enter keys by using the control's dispatch delegate method.
Technical Q&As 2006-10-09
MyCustomColorPicker (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to write a custom color picker using Cocoa.
Sample Code 2006-10-09
Preference Panes (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to create dynamically loaded plug-ins that provide a graphical interface to user preferences.
Guides 2006-10-03
Slider Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa sliders.
Guides 2006-10-03
Embedding Hyperlinks in NSTextField and NSTextView (HTML)
QA1487: Shows how a Cocoa app can embed a hyperlink inside both NSTextField and NSTextView using NSAttributedString.
Technical Q&As 2006-10-02
ImageBackground (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to draw an image in the background of an NSOutlineView and NSTableView.
Sample Code 2006-10-02
Using AppleScript Scripts in Cocoa Applications (HTML)
TN2084: Explains how to work with AppleScript scripts in your Cocoa application.
Technical Notes 2006-09-19
Disabling and Enabling an NSTextView (HTML)
QA1461: Shows how a Cocoa application can disable and enable an NSTextView.
Technical Q&As 2006-09-11
Sheet Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa sheets.
Guides 2006-09-05
Speech Synthesis Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes speech synthesis in Mac OS X and explains how your application can produce customized spoken output.
Guides 2006-09-05
StickiesExample (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Contains sample code and tools used by Sync Services Tutorial to demonstrate debugging syncing applications.
Sample Code 2006-08-08
How to create a Cocoa Disclosure Button Control (HTML)
QA1485: Explains how to create a disclosure button control in Cocoa, not immediately available in Interface Builder.
Technical Q&As 2006-08-01
Software Delivery Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to distribute and install Mac OS X software using PackageMaker and Installer.
Guides 2006-07-24
Find By Content Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Describes the legacy C API for performing relevance-ranked searches. Replaced by Search Kit.
Reference 2006-07-13
Drag and Drop Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to implement drag and drop in Cocoa.
Guides 2006-06-28
NSToolbarItem Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a single item in a window's toolbar.
Reference 2006-06-28
Online Help (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to add help to a Cocoa application.
Guides 2006-06-28
Outline View Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa outline views.
Guides 2006-06-28
Scroll View Programming Guide for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to use scroll views in Cocoa applications.
Guides 2006-06-28
Text System User Interface Layer Programming Guide for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to implement the main, high-level interface to the Cocoa text system.
Guides 2006-06-28
DOMHTMLFrameElement Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API added to the DOMHTMLFrameElement class to facilitate communication between WebKit and the DOM API.
Reference 2006-05-23
DOMHTMLIFrameElement Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API added to the DOMHTMLIFrameElement class to facilitate communication between WebKit and the DOM API.
Reference 2006-05-23
DOMHTMLObjectElement Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API added to the DOMHTMLObjectElement class to facilitate communication between WebKit and the DOM API.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSComboBox Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control for entering text or selecting from a pop-up list of items.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSComboBoxCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the text field that provides the user interface for NSComboBox objects.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSComboBoxCellDataSource Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving data requests from an NSComboBoxCell object.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSComboBoxDataSource Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving data requests from an NSComboBox object.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSDrawer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a retractable user interface element that displays view objects.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSForm Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a vertical matrix of NSFormCell objects.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSFormCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a title and text entry field in an NSForm object.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSPreferencePane Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Defines the interface for subclasses to provide preference panes to System Preferences or other applications.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSScrollView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a view for displaying content larger than its bounds.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSSearchField Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a text field optimized for entering a search query.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSSecureTextField Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a text field that hides its text.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSSlider Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control for selecting a value from a continuous range of values.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSSliderCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an action cell that provides appearance and behavior for an NSSlider object.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSStepper Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control that can increment and decrement a value.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSStepperCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an action cell that provides appearance and behavior for an NSStepper object.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSTableHeaderCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the user interface of a column header of a table view.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSTableHeaderView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a column header of a table view.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSTabView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a view that supports switching between subviews.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSTabViewItem Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a single view in a tab view.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSToolbarItemValidation Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for providing customized enabling and disabling of a toolbar item.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSToolTipOwner Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving requests for tooltip text.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSUserInterfaceValidations Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for participating in automatic enabling and disabling of controls.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSViewAnimation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an animation in a view or window.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSWindowScripting Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the category on NSWindow for scripting basic properties and commands of windows in scriptable applications.
Reference 2006-05-23
Preference Panes Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API for supporting and working with preference panes.
Reference 2006-05-23
Screen Saver Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API for supporting and working with screen effects.
Reference 2006-05-23
Screen Saver Functions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes functions and function-like macros available in the Screen Saver framework.
Reference 2006-05-23
ScreenSaverDefaults Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that defines a set of methods for saving and restoring user defaults for screen savers.
Reference 2006-05-23
ScreenSaverView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that defines the interface for subclassers to interact with the screen saver infrastructure.
Reference 2006-05-23
WebDocumentRepresentation Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol adopted by document representation classes that handle specific MIME types.
Reference 2006-05-23
WebDocumentSearching Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol adopted by document view objects to support searching.
Reference 2006-05-23
WebUndefined Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to represent the JavaScript "undefined" value.
Reference 2006-05-23
Table View Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa table views.
Guides 2006-04-04
Segmented Controls Programming Guide for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa segmented controls.
Guides 2006-02-07
Search Kit Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes Search Kit architecture and workflow, and how to add search capabilities to Carbon and Cocoa applications.
Guides 2005-12-06
Reducer (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Simple utility for rescaling bitmapped images. Demonstrates use of Core Image, NSAnimation, view drawing redirection.
Sample Code 2005-06-06
iSpend (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to incorporate a number of Cocoa Tiger features into a simple application.
Sample Code 2005-06-01
SearchKit Release Notes (HTML)
Release Notes 2005-04-29
Finding an NSView's current magnification. (HTML)
QA1346: How to discover the current magnification (zoom level) of any NSView.
Technical Q&As 2005-03-08
Why aren't my tracking rects working? (HTML)
QA1355: Describes a common mistake in setting up cursor-tracking rectangles.
Technical Q&As 2004-12-02
Browsers (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa browsers.
Guides 2004-08-31
Font Panel (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use the Cocoa Font panel.
Guides 2004-08-31
Binding your Preferences in Cocoa (HTML)
Learn to use bindings by creating a simple app.
Articles 2004-04-26
Using the Web Kit for Application Registration (HTML)
Learn how to use the Web Kit to handle your application's online registration.
Articles 2004-03-09
Spell Checking (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use the spell-checking facilities in the Cocoa text system.
Guides 2004-02-09
Text Fields (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa text fields.
Guides 2004-02-09
Text Views (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa text views.
Guides 2004-02-09
TipWrapper (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to wrap long tool tips into multiple lines in Cocoa.
Sample Code 2003-12-18
OpenGL Screensaver (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to integrate OpenGL drawing into a standard Cocoa screen saver on Mac OS X.
Sample Code 2003-12-10
MungSaver (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates a simple Screen Saver module for Panther, using the Sequence Grabber DataProc mung technique.
Sample Code 2003-11-18
Tab Views (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa tab views.
Guides 2003-11-06
FancyAbout (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates several visual effects for "About..." panels such as scrolling text, window without a title bar, and ways to dismiss the window.
Sample Code 2003-10-27
How to remove the "Open Recent" menu item in a Document-based Cocoa application (HTML)
QA1289: Explains how to remove the "Open Recent" menu item in a Document-based Cocoa application.
Technical Q&As 2003-09-15
How to set a custom drag image when doing an HFS Promise drag in Cocoa (HTML)
QA1200: Explains how to set a custom drag image when doing an HFS Promise drag in Cocoa.
Technical Q&As 2003-09-15
Speech (HTML) (PDF)
Explains Cocoa's interfaces to the speech synthesis and speech recognition technologies.
Guides 2003-08-08
Sproing (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how "springs" work to control view resizing behavior.
Sample Code 2003-05-20
FunkyOverlayWindow (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates several window layering, transparency and widget interaction techniques in Cocoa.
Sample Code 2003-05-08
CarbonInCocoa (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
How to use Carbon GUI code in a Cocoa application.
Sample Code 2003-03-26
Clock Control (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates creating a custom control by creating a clock control, implemented as a subclass of NSControl and NSCell.
Sample Code 2003-02-25
Guide to Creating Kiosks on Mac OS X (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
TN2062: Discusses techniques used in creating applications which require kiosk-like functionality on Mac OS X.
Technical Notes 2003-02-24
Boxes (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa boxes.
Guides 2003-02-15
Drawers (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa drawers.
Guides 2003-02-04
AnimatedSlider (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates the use of an NSTimer to animate a control in Cocoa.
Sample Code 2003-01-14
Color Sampler (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates one way to sample the color at a given point in an NSView.
Sample Code 2003-01-14
Cropped Image (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to extract a sub-image from another image, and some ways of indicating a selection.
Sample Code 2003-01-14
DeskPictAppDockMenu (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
How to add a dynamic Dock menu to your Cocoa application
Sample Code 2003-01-14
MP3 Player (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
How to wrap a command-line UNIX/Linux application in a Cocoa GUI, calling a the command-line app through NSTask.
Sample Code 2003-01-14
RGB Image (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates compositing to separate an NSimage into its RGB components, and how to recombine those components.
Sample Code 2003-01-14
RoundTransparentWindow (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Creating (in Cocoa) custom-shaped windows and transparent window content; plus changing the shape of windows dynamically.
Sample Code 2003-01-14
SonOfSillyBalls (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Draws a bunch of randomly colored, randomly placed, silly balls in a window on the screen.
Sample Code 2003-01-14
Tinted Image (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates the use of an NSImage as an off-screen drawing destination.
Sample Code 2003-01-14
ToolbarSample (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates using the Cocoa NSToolbar/NSToolbarItem API to add customizable toolbars to windows. Includes advanced custom views.
Sample Code 2003-01-14
Combo Box Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa combo boxes.
Guides 2002-11-12
Forms (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa forms.
Guides 2002-11-12
Image Views (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa image views.
Guides 2002-11-12
Progress Indicators (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa progress indicators.
Guides 2002-11-12
Status Bars (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa status bars.
Guides 2002-11-12
Steppers (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa steppers.
Guides 2002-11-12
System Services (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how Cocoa applications can extend their capabilities seamlessly to other applications.
Guides 2002-11-12
Undo Architecture (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to record information in Cocoa so a user can reverse an operation's effect.
Guides 2002-11-12
Preventing crashes when using multiple disabled but editable NSComboBoxes (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1142: How to prevent a crash when using multiple disabled -- but editable --NSComboBoxes in a view.
Technical Q&As 2002-06-03
Solving NSTabView drawing problems in Mac OS X 10.1.x (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1117: Explains how to work around NSTabView draw problems in Mac OS X 10.1.x
Technical Q&As 2002-02-14
Background-only apps with NSStatusItems become active in 10.1 on NSStatusItem clicks (HTML)
QA1081: Preventing background-only apps from activating when their NSStatusItem(s) are clicked in Mac OS X 10.1.
Technical Q&As 2001-10-30
Getting NSWindow's toolbar actions to show up in Interface Builder (HTML)
QA1030: How to add the missing -toggleToolbarShown: and -runToolbarCustomizationPalette actions to Interface Builder.
Technical Q&As 2001-05-03
How to get custom views to show up in NSToolbarItems (HTML)
QA1029: Why custom views may not show up in an NSToolBarItem and how to make it visible.
Technical Q&As 2001-05-03
NSTableView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a view that displays and manages tabular data.
Reference