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Leopard Reference Library
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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PDFActionGoTo Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating the destination of a go-to action in a PDF document.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-12-11
PDFActionNamed Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for working with actions that have defined names, such as "Go back."
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-12-11
PDFActionRemoteGoTo Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating the destination of a go-to action that targets another PDF document.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-12-11
PDFActionResetForm Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for getting and clearing fields in a PDF form.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-12-11
PDFActionURL Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for managing the URL associated with a URL action.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-12-11
PDFAnnotation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describe the class for creating and managing annotations in PDF documents.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-12-11
PDFAnnotationButtonWidget Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating button annotations in PDF documents.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-12-11
PDFAnnotationChoiceWidget Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating pop-up menu and list annotations in a PDF document.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-12-11
PDFAnnotationFreeText Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating free text annotations in PDF documents.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-12-11
PDFAnnotationLine Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating line annotations in PDF documents.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-12-11
PDFAnnotationPopup Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating pop-up menu annotations in a PDF document.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-12-11
PDFAnnotationStamp Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for displaying content to look as if it is "stamped" onto a PDF page.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-12-11
PDFAnnotationText Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating text annotations in PDF documents.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-12-11
PDFAnnotationTextWidget Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating editable text fields in PDF documents.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-12-11
PDFDestination Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for describing specific destinations in PDF documents.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-12-11
PDFDocument Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for creating and manipulating PDF files.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-12-11
PDFOutline Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for creating and manipulating structure outlines in PDF documents.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-12-11
PDFPage Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for handling specific pages in PDF documents.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-12-11
PDFThumbnailView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for managing the thumbnail view in a PDF document.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-12-11
Quartz Composer Custom Patch Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to create custom patches for distribution.
Graphics & Imaging Guides 2007-12-11
Token Field Programming Guide for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to set up and programatically manage a token field.
User Experience Guides 2007-12-11
NSAttributedString Application Kit Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes additions for analyzing and using attributed strings.
Data Management, Text & Fonts Reference 2007-12-04
SBSetFinderComment (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Set/Get Finder Comments using Scripting Bridge
Scripting & Automation Sample Code 2007-12-04
SourceView (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use NSOutlineView driven by NSTreeController.
File Management, User Experience Sample Code 2007-11-15
StillMotion (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use the QTKit Capture APIs to build a simple application that creates stop motion animations.
QuickTime Sample Code 2007-11-14
BoingX (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows off using Quartz Extreme to provide borderless OpenGL content on the desktop.
Games, Graphics & Imaging Sample Code 2007-11-06
Daemons and Agents (HTML)
TN2083: Describes the most common problems encountered with daemons and agents, and suggests detailed solutions.
Process Management Technical Notes 2007-11-05
CocoaSlides (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
An image browser written using AppKit's Core Animation-based compositing and animation functionality
Games, Graphics & Imaging, User Experience Sample Code 2007-11-02
Son of Grab (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to use the new CGWindow to get window images from the Window Server.
Graphics & Imaging Sample Code 2007-11-01
Apple Applications Schema Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the schemas used by Apple Applications to sync records such as contacts, calendars, and bookmarks.
Apple Applications, Data Management, Internet & Web, Syncing Reference 2007-10-31
Apple Help Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to author, package, and display user help content in Mac OS X.
Apple Applications, User Experience Guides 2007-10-31
AppleScript Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the technology for writing scripts to control applications. Useful for scripters and application developers.
Scripting & Automation Guides 2007-10-31
AppleScript Studio Release Notes (HTML)
Describes late-breaking news and highlights of new or changed features in the latest release of AppleScript Studio.
Tools Release Notes 2007-10-31
AppleScript Studio Terminology Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the scripting terminology for AppleScript Studio, through version 1.4.
Scripting & Automation, Tools Reference 2007-10-31
Application Kit Constants Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the constants defined in the Application Kit framework not described in individual classes.
Objective-C Language Reference 2007-10-31
Application Kit Release Notes (10.5) (HTML)
New document that describes new features, notes, and known issues for the Application Kit Framework on Mac OS X v10.5.
Design Guidelines Release Notes 2007-10-31
Audio Codec Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the programming interface for configuring audio codecs and for encoding and decoding audio data.
Audio Reference 2007-10-31
Audio Queue Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to play and record audio using Audio Queue Services.
Audio Guides 2007-10-31
Audio Unit Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Core Audio frameworks and the Core Audio SDK to create audio units.
Audio Guides 2007-10-31
Automator Release Notes (HTML)
Updated for changes in Mac OS X version 10.5.
Apple Applications, Tools Release Notes 2007-10-31
CAAnimation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for managing the actions and timing of an animation.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-10-31
Calendar Store Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to access iCal data.
Apple Applications, Data Management, General Guides 2007-10-31
CalTask Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to get properties about a task.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-10-31
Carbon-Cocoa Integration Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use both Carbon and Cocoa in developing an application.
Design Guidelines Guides 2007-10-31
CATransition Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides transition animations to layers.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-10-31
CIImage Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that represents an immutable Core Image image.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-10-31
Cocoa Application Tutorial (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to build a simple Cocoa application using Xcode.
Objective-C Language Guides 2007-10-31
Cocoa Bindings Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the exposed bindings of Cocoa classes.
User Experience Reference 2007-10-31
Code Signing Release Notes (HTML)
Security Release Notes 2007-10-31
Cryptographic Message Syntax Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for encrypting, signing, and decoding messages using Cryptographic Message Syntax (CMS).
Security Reference 2007-10-31
DiscRecording Release Notes (HTML)
Updated for Mac OS X v10.5
File Management, User Experience Release Notes 2007-10-31
Foundation Release Notes (HTML)
Describes new features, notes, and known issues for the Foundation framework in Mac OS X v10.5.
Design Guidelines, Scripting & Automation Release Notes 2007-10-31
Garbage Collection Release Notes (HTML)
Describes features, issues, and workarounds related to Mac OS X v10.5 and its support of garbage collection.
Objective-C Language Release Notes 2007-10-31
GNU C/C++/Objective-C 4.0.1 Compiler User Guide (HTML)
Describes the Apple version of the GNU 4.0.1 compiler.
Intel-Based Macs Reference 2007-10-31
IKFilterBrowserPanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides the panel contained in a filter browser.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-10-31
IKPictureTaker Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Descibes the class that provides a panel for choosing images.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-10-31
IKSlideshow Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that encapsulates a data source and options for a slideshow.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-10-31
IMAVManager Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the object that controls the auxiliary audio and video source to iChat Theater.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-10-31
Instant Message Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to access iChat services and buddies and use iChat Theater through code samples.
Apple Applications, General, Internet & Web Guides 2007-10-31
ISyncUIHelper Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
An informal protocol that provides user interface attributes to the iSync user interface.
Syncing Reference 2007-10-31
Launch Services Release Notes (HTML)
Interapplication Communication Release Notes 2007-10-31
NSAnimation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the behavior of an animation.
Games, Graphics & Imaging, User Experience Reference 2007-10-31
NSAttributeDescription Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to define attributes of an entity in a Core Data managed object model.
Objective-C Language Reference 2007-10-31
NSDecimalNumber Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a decimal number.
Data Management Reference 2007-10-31
NSKeyValueObserving Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving notifications of changes to object properties.
Data Management, Design Guidelines Reference 2007-10-31
NSScriptKeyValueCoding Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol used to provide additional key-value coding capabilities in a scriptable application.
Scripting & Automation Reference 2007-10-31
NSSecureTextFieldCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the user interface of a secure text field.
Text & Fonts, User Experience Reference 2007-10-31
NSSortDescriptor Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the rules for a sorting operation.
Data Management Reference 2007-10-31
NSTableColumn Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the display characteristics and attribute identifiers for a column in a table view.
User Experience Reference 2007-10-31
NSValue Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a container for a single C or Objective-C data item.
Data Management Reference 2007-10-31
Objective-C Release Notes (HTML)
Updated for Mac OS X v10.5
Objective-C Language Release Notes 2007-10-31
Providing PDF Workflow Options in the Print Dialog (HTML) (PDF)
Installation information and examples, including the use of Automator workflows.
Printing Guides 2007-10-31
QLThumbnailRequest Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an opaque type for handling requests for Quick Look thumbnail images.
User Experience Reference 2007-10-31
QTKit Capture Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to capture media and output it QuickTime movies.
QuickTime Guides 2007-10-31
QTKit Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interfaces for working with QuickTime movies and media capture.
QuickTime Reference 2007-10-31
Ruby and Python Programming Topics for Mac OS X (HTML) (PDF)
Describes Ruby and Python on Mac OS X, and especially the bridges between them and Objective-C and OSA (AppleScript).
Design Guidelines, Scripting & Automation, Tools Guides 2007-10-31
Scripting Bridge Release Note (HTML)
A release note that describes the classes and techniques used to control scriptable applications from Objective-C code.
Scripting & Automation Release Notes 2007-10-31
Sync Services Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API for the Sync Services framework used to sync applications and devices.
Apple Applications, Internet & Web, Syncing Reference 2007-10-31
Sync Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to add syncing to your applications.
Apple Applications, Internet & Web, Syncing Guides 2007-10-31
Sync Services Release Notes (10.5) (HTML)
Describes new features, notes, and known issues for Sync Services on Mac OS X v10.5.
Apple Applications, Data Management, Syncing Release Notes 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.
Data Management, User Experience Guides 2007-10-31
ButtonMadness (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use the various types of buttons using a nib file or programatically.
User Experience Sample Code 2007-10-30
PreLoginAgents (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Pre-login launchd agents to display UI using AppKit and HIToolbox.
Process Management Sample Code 2007-10-26
Cocoa OpenGL (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates using Cocoa with OpenGL, including window setup and event handling.
Graphics & Imaging Sample Code 2007-10-22
QTKitThreadsExporter (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates QTKit threading APIs by performing concurrent exports on separate threads.
QuickTime Sample Code 2007-10-08
Exception Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to raise and handle exceptions in Cocoa applications.
Objective-C Language, Performance Guides 2007-10-02
MassiveImage (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to use a CGDataProvider to save a very large image with Image IO
Graphics & Imaging Sample Code 2007-09-27
Core Animation QuickTime Layer (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows the use of controls in a Layer over a Core Animation QTMovieLayer
Graphics & Imaging Sample Code 2007-09-26
BundleLoader (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to load multiple Cocoa bundles or NSBundles (also known as plug-ins) into the main NSApplication.
Design Guidelines, Resource Management, Runtime Architecture, User Experience Sample Code 2007-09-21
Obtaining the localized application name in Cocoa (HTML)
QA1544: Describes how to obtain several versions of the application name in Cocoa.
Internationalization, Resource Management Technical Q&As 2007-09-21
QTKitTimeCode (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use the QuickTime 32-bit Timecode Media Handler to Add and Remove Timecode Tracks.
QuickTime Sample Code 2007-09-19
Thread-safe programming in QuickTime (HTML)
TN2125: Discusses how to use QuickTime from background threads for applications and component developers.
QuickTime Technical Notes 2007-09-14
Fiendishthngs (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Fiendishthngs lists all the the Components it finds on the system and lets you query them for information.
QuickTime Sample Code 2007-09-13
DockTile (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to customize your application's icon in the Dock by using the NSDockTile class.
User Experience 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.
User Experience Technical Q&As 2007-09-10
Dates and Times Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to manage Cocoa dates and times.
Data Management Guides 2007-09-04
Rulers and Paragraph Styles (HTML) (PDF)
Explains paragraph styles and how to work with the rulers that enable users to manipulate them.
Text & Fonts Guides 2007-09-04
QTKitPlayer (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
QTKit example code to open, edit, play, import and export QuickTime movies
QuickTime Sample Code 2007-08-31
Quartz 2D Shadings (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to use CGShading and CGGradient objects to draw simple gradients.
Graphics & Imaging Sample Code 2007-08-31
Don't forget to cancel your Bonjour resolve (HTML)
QA1297: Explains why it's important to cancel a Bonjour resolve operation.
Networking Technical Q&As 2007-08-30