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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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Code Loading Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how Cocoa applications can dynamically load code during execution.
Resource Management Guides 2007-08-10
Creating a Managed Object Model with Xcode (HTML) (PDF)
A tutorial that shows how to create a Core Data managed object model using Xcode.
Data Management Guides 2007-08-07
SimpleCocoaApp (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
A basic Cocoa application for beginners to Cocoa and Objective-C.
Design Guidelines, User Experience Sample Code 2007-08-07
How to measure CG text (HTML)
QA1051: Explains how to measure Core Graphics text.
Graphics & Imaging, Printing Technical Q&As 2007-08-02
Automator Reference Update (HTML) (PDF)
Summarizes the symbols added to the Automtor framework.
Apple Applications, Scripting & Automation Release Notes 2007-07-25
CAAction Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving actions initiated by a layer.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-07-24
CABasicAnimation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the basic interpolation of a layer property.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-07-24
CAConstraint Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a single geometric constraint between two layers.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-07-24
CAKeyframeAnimation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an animation that provides keyframe interpolation of a layer property.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-07-24
CALayoutManager Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving requests to arrange a layout tree.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-07-24
CAPropertyAnimation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for manipulating values of layer properties.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-07-24
CAScrollLayer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a layer that displays a scrollable portion of another layer.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-07-24
CATiledLayer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a layer that draws tiles of content as needed.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-07-24
CATransaction Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a batch of Core Animation updates that are applied to a render tree atomically.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-07-24
CIFilter Core Animation Additions (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the category that extends Core Image filters for use with Layer Kit.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-07-24
Core Animation Function Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C functions that support Core Animation.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-07-24
Core Data Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API for the Core Data framework.
Data Management, General, Objective-C Language Reference 2007-07-24
Core Printing Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API that provides an abstraction layer for application printing.
Printing Reference 2007-07-24
NSValue Core Animation Additions (HTML) (PDF)
Describes extensions to Foundation's NSValue class that support the Core Animation LKTransform structure.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-07-24
NSValueTransformer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a Cocoa-bindings compatible interface for transforming value representations.
Data Management, Design Guidelines Reference 2007-07-24
NSMapTable Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a collection of key-value pairs that supports weak references.
Data Management Reference 2007-07-22
NSPersistentStore Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
New document that describes the abstract Core Data class that represents a persistent store.
Data Management Reference 2007-07-22
NSScriptCommand Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to represent a scripting statement and the information needed to perform the operation it specifies.
Scripting & Automation Reference 2007-07-20
NSBundle Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes additions for loading nib files in Cocoa applications.
Resource Management Reference 2007-07-19
NSBundle Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a collection of resources used in a program.
Data Management, Internationalization, Resource Management Reference 2007-07-19
NSPort Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for implementing communication ports.
Interapplication Communication Reference 2007-07-19
Application Kit Reference Update (HTML) (PDF)
Summarizes the symbols added to the Application Kit framework.
General Release Notes 2007-07-18
CGBitmapContextCreate Supported Color Spaces (HTML)
QA1037: Lists the color space and alpha info combinations currently supported by CGBitmapContextCreate.
Games, Graphics & Imaging Technical Q&As 2007-07-18
Core Data Reference Update (HTML) (PDF)
Summarizes the symbols added to the Core Data framework.
General Release Notes 2007-07-18
Foundation Reference Update (HTML) (PDF)
Summarizes the symbols added to the Foundation framework.
General Release Notes 2007-07-18
Input Method Kit Reference Update (HTML) (PDF)
Summarizes the symbols added to the Input Method Kit framework.
Internationalization, Text & Fonts Release Notes 2007-07-18
Instant Message Reference Update (HTML) (PDF)
Summarizes the symbols added to the Instant Message framework.
Apple Applications Release Notes 2007-07-18
Interface Builder Plug-In Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the process for creating custom Interface Builder palettes.
Tools Guides 2007-07-18
Preference Panes Reference Update (HTML) (PDF)
Summarizes the symbols added to the Preference Panes framework.
User Experience Release Notes 2007-07-18
QTKit Reference Update (HTML) (PDF)
Summarizes the symbols added to the QuickTime Kit framework.
QuickTime Release Notes 2007-07-18
Security Reference Update (HTML) (PDF)
Summarizes the symbols added to the Security framework.
Security Release Notes 2007-07-18
Sync Services Reference Update (HTML) (PDF)
Summarizes the symbols added to the Sync Services framework.
Syncing Release Notes 2007-07-18
IKImageBrowserDataSource Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol used to access the data source associated with an image browser view.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-07-17
Input Method Kit Release Note (HTML)
Describes an Objective-C framework for building input methods for Chinese, Japanese, and other languages.
Internationalization, Text & Fonts Release Notes 2007-07-17
NSScriptClassDescription Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to encapsulate the scriptability information for a scriptable class.
Scripting & Automation Reference 2007-07-17
Quartz Composer User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use the Quartz Composer development tool to create motion graphics compositions.
Graphics & Imaging Guides 2007-07-17
NSPrintPanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a print dialog.
Printing Reference 2007-07-16
Pasteboard Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to transfer data using pasteboard operations in Cocoa.
Events & Other Input, Interapplication Communication, User Experience Guides 2007-07-13
QCPlugInInputImageSource Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the methods for managing image data that's input to a QCPlugIn object.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-07-12
vImage Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C programming interface for high-performance image processing.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-07-12
IBInspector Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for managing inspector views in Interface Builder.
Tools Reference 2007-07-11
ISyncClient Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
An ISyncClient object represents an application, tool, or device that syncs records--for example, Address Book, .Mac, or a mobile phone.
Syncing Reference 2007-07-11
ISyncFiltering Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Syncing Reference 2007-07-11
ISyncManager Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
You use an ISyncManager object to communicate directly with the sync engine to perform administrative operations.
Syncing Reference 2007-07-11
ISyncRecordReference Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Syncing Reference 2007-07-11
ISyncSessionDriver Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Syncing Reference 2007-07-11
ISyncSessionDriverDataSource Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Defines a set of methods that the data source of an ISyncSessionDriver object must implement.
Syncing Reference 2007-07-11
NSPersistentStoreCoordinator Sync Services Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the methods added to NSPersistenStoreCoordinator to support syncing of Core Data managed objects
Syncing Reference 2007-07-11
NSPersistentStoreCoordinatorSyncing Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a protocol that you use to change the behavior of a Core Data application sync session.
Syncing Reference 2007-07-11
Sync Services Constants Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Syncing Reference 2007-07-11
Sync Services Tutorial (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to debug multiple syncing applications using the Syncrospector development tool.
Apple Applications, Internet & Web, Syncing, Tools Guides 2007-07-11
Checkout Lets You 'Get a Mac, Start a Store': Madebysofa Does It with Python and Cocoa (HTML)
Success story on how Mac-only Checkout was built using Python and Cocoa.
General, Scripting & Automation Articles 2007-07-10
Cocoa Application Tutorial Using Bindings (HTML) (PDF)
A hands-on introduction to Cocoa bindings.
Design Guidelines Guides 2007-07-10
NSAppleScript Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides the ability to load, compile, and execute scripts.
Scripting & Automation Reference 2007-07-10
Sort Descriptor Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use sort descriptors to specify the sorting of collections.
Data Management Guides 2007-07-10
User Interface Validation (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use the standard mechanism to validate user interface items in Cocoa.
Design Guidelines, User Experience Guides 2007-07-10
AMWorkflowController Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to control an Automator workflow in an application.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-07-09
NSFormatter Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for formatter objects.
Data Management, User Experience Reference 2007-07-09
ABMultiValue Class Objective-C Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to use these classes to represent properties that might have multiple values.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-07-08
Address Book Objective-C Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Cocoa API for supporting and working with Address Book.
Apple Applications, General Reference 2007-07-08
CalAttendee Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to to confirm status and obtain more information about an attendee.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-07-08
CalCalendar Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to get attributes about a calendar.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-07-08
CalCalendarItem Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to provide access to information about calendar objects associated with a calendar item.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-07-08
Calendar Store Constants Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Apple Applications Reference 2007-07-08
Calendar Store Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Calendar Store framework classes and methods used to access iCal data.
Apple Applications, Data Management, General Reference 2007-07-08
CalNthWeekDay Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the CalNthWeekDay class that is used to define a weekly repeating pattern of an event.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-07-08
CalRecurrenceEnd Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a property of a CalRecurrenceRule that defines how long a recurrence is scheduled to repeat.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-07-08
IMVideoDataSource Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the methods that a video data source implements to provide auxiliary audio and video source to iChat Theater.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-07-08
Instant Message Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for providing iChat presence information to Cocoa applications and using iChat Theater.
Apple Applications, Internet & Web Reference 2007-07-08
ABAddressBook Class Objective-C Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Provides a programming interface to the Address Book.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-07-07
ABGroup Class Objective-C Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how this class supports the concept of a "group" containing one or more persons.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-07-07
ABPerson Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to encapsulate all information about a person in the Address Book database.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-07-07
Image I/O Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to read and write image data using the Image I/O framework.
Graphics & Imaging Guides 2007-07-02
NSPositionalSpecifier Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to specify an insertion point in a container relative to another object in the container.
Scripting & Automation Reference 2007-06-29
NSScriptObjectSpecifier Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the abstract class used to instantiate objects that represent references to scriptable objects.
Scripting & Automation Reference 2007-06-29
NSFastEnumeration Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for supporting the Objective-C 2.0 fast-enumeration feature.
Objective-C Language Reference 2007-06-27
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.
User Experience Guides 2007-06-26
NSHashTable Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a mutable unordered collection of distinct elements that may use weak references.
Data Management Reference 2007-06-26
QCComposition Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that represents a Quartz Composer composition.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-06-26
Quartz 2D Transformer (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to use Quartz 2D to manipulate an image
Graphics & Imaging Sample Code 2007-06-21
JavaFrameEmbedding example (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Small Cocoa application that demonstrates how to use JavaFrameEmbedding.framework
Internet & Web, Java, User Experience Sample Code 2007-06-12
LayerBackedOpenGLView (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
"LayerBackedOpenGLView" provides a simple example of hosting Cocoa controls as subviews of an NSOpenGLView.
Graphics & Imaging, User Experience Sample Code 2007-06-12
BasicCocoaAnimations (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
"BasicCocoaAnimations" demonstrates the use of the animator proxy to easily animate Cocoa views and windows.
Graphics & Imaging, User Experience Sample Code 2007-06-11
CustomSave (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to customize the NSSavePanel.
File Management, User Experience Sample Code 2007-06-11
MenuItemView (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates embedding an NSView inside a menu item or NSMenuItem.
User Experience Sample Code 2007-06-11
NSOperationSample (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use the NSOperation and NSOperationQueue classes.
Process Management Sample Code 2007-06-11
QuartzComposerSamplePatches (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
A short list of new patches in Quartz Composer Mac OS X 10.5
Graphics & Imaging Sample Code 2007-06-11
ViewController (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use "NSViewController".
Printing, Resource Management, User Experience Sample Code 2007-06-11
Bound Button (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Illustrates using Cocoa bindings to bind a button's target and action parameters.
Data Management Sample Code 2007-06-08
CIImage Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes additions for manipulating Cocoa images.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-06-08
CustomAtomicStoreSubclass (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Illustrates the implementation of a custom Core Data atomic store.
Data Management Sample Code 2007-06-08
NSFont Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a representation of a font.
Text & Fonts Reference 2007-06-08
Using Secure Event Input Fairly (HTML)
TN2150: Describes the proper use of EnableSecureEventInput.
Events & Other Input, Security Technical Notes 2007-06-08
Simple Bindings Adoption (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
A simple example that illustrates the adoption of Cocoa Bindings.
Data Management Sample Code 2007-06-07
TrackBall (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to build a custom control based on the NSControl class.
Accessibility, Design Guidelines, Events & Other Input, User Experience Sample Code 2007-06-07