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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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Distributed Objects Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how Objective-C objects in different threads or different processes communicate.
Interapplication Communication, Networking, Objective-C Language Guides 2007-06-06
IMKInputController Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that controls input on the input method side.
Internationalization, Text & Fonts Reference 2007-06-06
IMKServer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that manages connections to input method clients.
Internationalization, Text & Fonts Reference 2007-06-06
Input Method Kit Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for building input methods for Chinese, Japanese, and other languages.
Internationalization, Text & Fonts Reference 2007-06-06
JSInterpreter (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Simple JavaScript interpreter
Internet & Web Sample Code 2007-06-06
JSPong (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Pong with JavaScript AI
Internet & Web Sample Code 2007-06-06
PredicateEditorSample (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use the NSPredicateEditor class.
User Experience Sample Code 2007-06-06
PrefsPane (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
A Cocoa sample System Preferences bundle that demonstrates how to use the NSPreferencePane class.
Data Management, Design Guidelines, User Experience Sample Code 2007-06-06
SpeedometerView (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to make a custom NSView.
User Experience Sample Code 2007-06-06
WebKitPluginStarter (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to make a minimal WebKit plug-in.
Internet & Web Sample Code 2007-06-06
WebKitPluginWithJavaScript (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to call JavaScript from a WebKit plug-in and vice versa.
Internet & Web Sample Code 2007-06-06
Debugging a WebKit Plug-in in Xcode (HTML)
QA1500: Directions for debugging a WebKit plug-in in Xcode.
Internet & Web Technical Q&As 2007-06-05
IMKCandidates Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that supports the use of candidate windows for an input method.
Internationalization, Text & Fonts Reference 2007-06-05
IMKMouseHandling Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol used to receive mouse events for an input method client session.
Internationalization, Text & Fonts Reference 2007-06-05
IMKStateSetting Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol used to set or access state values for an input method client session.
Internationalization, Text & Fonts Reference 2007-06-05
IMKTextInput Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol used to send and obtain data from an input method client session.
Internationalization, Text & Fonts Reference 2007-06-05
Attributed Strings Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use attributed strings, which manage attributes of character strings or individual characters.
Data Management, Text & Fonts Guides 2007-06-04
Querying Metadata With Spotlight (HTML)
TN2192: Describes how a Cocoa application can search Spotlight metadata.
File Management, User Experience Technical Notes 2007-06-04
WebKitPluginWithSimpleGUI (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
A WebKit plug-in with an Interface Builder GUI
Internet & Web Sample Code 2007-06-04
Core Data HTML Store (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Implementation of a Core Data atomic store based on HTML tables
Data Management Sample Code 2007-06-01
NewsReader (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates use of the Publication Subscription framework to create a simple RSS reader application.
Data Management, Internet & Web, Networking Sample Code 2007-06-01
TextLayoutDemo (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Customizing NSTextView with NSLayoutManager and a custom NSTextContainer.
Text & Fonts, User Experience Sample Code 2007-06-01
Core Animation Release Notes (HTML)
Describes features, issues, and workarounds related to Mac OS X v10.5 and its support of Core Animation.
Graphics & Imaging Release Notes 2007-05-31
CrossEvents (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to send CarbonEvents and NSNotifications between Carbon and Cocoa.
Events & Other Input, Process Management Sample Code 2007-05-31
Departments and Employees (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Source code for NSPersistentDocument Core Data Tutorial.
Data Management Sample Code 2007-05-31
Dictionary Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to create a dictionary and access it programmatically.
Text & Fonts Guides 2007-05-30
Core Endian Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating and installing callbacks to byte swap custom data.
Data Management, Intel-Based Macs, Porting Reference 2007-05-29
Dictionary Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C and C routines that support programmatic access to dictionaries.
Text & Fonts Reference 2007-05-29
SBApplication Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an Objective-C representation of a scriptable application.
Interapplication Communication, Scripting & Automation Reference 2007-05-29
SBApplicationDelegate Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving and handling Apple event errors from applications.
Interapplication Communication, Scripting & Automation Reference 2007-05-29
SBElementArray Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a mutable array for storing related Scripting Bridge objects.
Interapplication Communication, Scripting & Automation Reference 2007-05-29
SBObject Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an object in a scriptable application.
Interapplication Communication, Scripting & Automation Reference 2007-05-29
Scripting Bridge Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface that allows Cocoa applications to communicate with scriptable applications.
Interapplication Communication Reference 2007-05-29
Spotlight Importer Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the role of metadata importers and how to write them.
File Management Guides 2007-05-27
Spotlight Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the main components and services of Apple's metadata technology.
Design Guidelines Guides 2007-05-27
AutoSample (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
How to run and display Automator workflows in your application.
Scripting & Automation Sample Code 2007-05-23
Leopard Technology Series for Developers: Broadcast Your Application's Content with iChat Theater (HTML)
Leopard Overview article on using the Instant Messaging framework.
Apple Applications Articles 2007-05-22
NSEntityMapping Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the mapping of an entity in a Core Data migration.
Data Management Reference 2007-05-22
NSEntityMigrationPolicy Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Core Data class used to customize the migration process for an entity mapping.
Data Management Reference 2007-05-22
NSMappingModel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Core Data class used to specify a mapping from one schema to another during migration.
Data Management Reference 2007-05-22
NSMigrationManager Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an object that migrates data from one persistent store to another.
Data Management Reference 2007-05-22
NSPropertyMapping Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a mapping of a property in a Core Data migration.
Data Management Reference 2007-05-22
ObjectPath (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use the NSPathControl class.
File Management, User Experience Sample Code 2007-05-22
Spotlight Metadata Attributes Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes metadata attributes used with Spotlight.
File Management Reference 2007-05-22
Image Capture Applications Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interaction between applications programs and image capture devices such as cameras and scanners.
Graphics & Imaging Guides 2007-05-16
CBGroupIdentity Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for operating on user identities.
Networking Reference 2007-05-14
CBIdentity Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to create and operate on identities.
Networking Reference 2007-05-14
CBIdentityAuthority Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to manipulate identity authority databases.
Networking Reference 2007-05-14
CBIdentityPicker Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that manages the identity picker.
Networking Reference 2007-05-14
CBUserIdentity Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for operating on user identities.
Networking Reference 2007-05-14
Collaboration Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API for monitoring and editing identities.
Networking Reference 2007-05-14
Identity Services Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the APIs for using identities and the Identity Picker.
Networking Reference 2007-05-14
VideoHardwareInfo (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Query VRAM, Quartz Extreme support, OpenGL extensions and renderer, GLSL version and support.
Games, Graphics & Imaging Sample Code 2007-05-14
Detecting the Caps Lock Key (HTML)
QA1519: Explains how to detect when the caps lock key is turned on and off.
Events & Other Input Technical Q&As 2007-05-11
Using UTIs to Identify Image Files (HTML)
QA1518: Explains how to use Uniform Type Identifiers to identify what files can be opened at images.
File Management, Graphics & Imaging Technical Q&As 2007-05-11
Automator Constants Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the constants defined in the Automator framework not described in individual classes.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-05-10
NSObject Interface Builder Kit Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes additions, used by Interface Builder plug-ins, for inspecting objects.
Tools Reference 2007-05-10
NSView Interface Builder Kit Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes additions, used by Interface Builder plug-ins, for manipulating views.
Tools Reference 2007-05-10
LSMSmartCategorizer (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates the Latent Semantic Mapping (LSM) framework by automatically categorize RSS feeds.
Data Management, Internet & Web Sample Code 2007-05-09
QCCompositionParameterView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to edit the input parameters of a composition in a view.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-05-09
QCCompositionParameterViewDelegate Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol for responding to changes in a QCCompositionParameterView object.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-05-09
QCCompositionPickerPanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to display a utility window for browsing and selecting a composition.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-05-09
QCCompositionPickerView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to display a view for browsing and selecting a composition.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-05-09
QCCompositionPickerViewDelegate Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol for responding to changes in a QCCompositionPickerView object.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-05-09
QCCompositionRepository Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that represents a system-wide, central repository of Quartz Composer compositions.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-05-09
QCPlugInContext Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol used by execution contexts.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-05-09
QCPlugInOutputImageProvider Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the methods for managing image data that's produced as output from a QCPlugIn object.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-05-09
QCPlugInViewController Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides a controller object for a user interface to edit the settings for a QCPlugIn object.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-05-09
QCRenderer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to load, play, and control a Quartz Composer composition to an arbitrary OpenGL context.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-05-09
QCView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to load, play, and control a Quartz Composer composition to a custom NSView object.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-05-09
Resolution Independence Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Describes resolution independence and how to start updating applications to support high-resolution monitors.
Graphics & Imaging, User Experience Guides 2007-05-04
Notification Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to send and receive information about events in Cocoa programs.
Design Guidelines, Events & Other Input Guides 2007-05-03
NSViewController Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the manager of a view, usually a view stored in a nib file.
Graphics & Imaging, User Experience Reference 2007-05-02
QTMovieView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a view for playing a QuickTime movie.
QuickTime Reference 2007-05-01
NSComparisonPredicate Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to define a predicate used to compare the results of two expressions.
Data Management Reference 2007-04-30
NSDecimalNumberHandler Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an object that specifies decimal number rounding and error handling.
Data Management Reference 2007-04-30
NSMachPort Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a port object that wraps a Mac OS X local communication port.
Interapplication Communication Reference 2007-04-30
NSRecursiveLock Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a lock that can be acquired multiple times by one thread without causing a deadlock.
Process Management Reference 2007-04-30
NSColorPickingDefault Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving basic color-picker user-interface requests.
Graphics & Imaging, User Experience Reference 2007-04-27
NSSpellChecker Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface to the Cocoa spell-checking service.
Text & Fonts Reference 2007-04-27
NSSpellServer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an application-defined spell-checking service.
Text & Fonts Reference 2007-04-27
NSTextView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a view that displays editable text.
Text & Fonts Reference 2007-04-27
NSWorkspace Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an object that provides Finder services to an application.
Interapplication Communication Reference 2007-04-27
DatePicker (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use the NSDatePicker control.
User Experience 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.
Events & Other Input, Graphics & Imaging, User Experience Reference 2007-04-25
SearchField (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use and customize the features of the "NSSearchField" control.
Events & Other Input, User Experience Sample Code 2007-04-25
QLPreviewRequest Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an opaque type for handling requests for Quick Look document previews.
User Experience Reference 2007-04-20
Interface Builder Kit Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for implementing Interface Builder plug-ins.
Tools Reference 2007-04-18
Quick Look Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for creating plug-ins that generate Quick Look previews and thumbnails.
User Experience Reference 2007-04-13
NSInvocationOperation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a nonconcurrent operation for executing a single encapsulated task.
Interapplication Communication, Objective-C Language Reference 2007-04-12
NSPageLayout Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a printing dialog for querying the user about page layout.
Printing Reference 2007-04-11
NSPathCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the user interface of a path control object.
User Experience Reference 2007-04-11
NSPathCellDelegate Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface used to customize a pop-up-style control that represents a path.
User Experience Reference 2007-04-11
NSPathComponentCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a component of a path control.
User Experience Reference 2007-04-11
NSPathControl Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control representing a file path or virtual path.
User Experience Reference 2007-04-11
NSPathControlDelegate Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface used to support dragging and pop-up menu customization in path controls.
User Experience Reference 2007-04-11
NSTextTable Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a block of text that represents a table.
Text & Fonts Reference 2007-04-11
NSToolbarItemGroup Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a group of items in a window's toolbar.
User Experience Reference 2007-04-11
NSAppleEventDescriptor Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to access the basic data structures in an Apple event.
Scripting & Automation Reference 2007-04-10
NSKeyValueBindingCreation Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for managing Cocoa bindings.
Data Management Reference 2007-04-10