Jump To:
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.
Document Descriptions
On Off
Display

Sorted by
Title
Sort by
Topic
Sort by
Resource Type
Sort by
Date
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
Byte-Order Utilities Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes Core Foundation byte-order functions.
Intel-Based Macs Reference 2006-05-23
CAAction Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving actions initiated by a layer.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-07-24
CAAnimation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for managing the actions and timing of an animation.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-10-31
CAAnimationGroup Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a grouping of multiple animations into a single animation.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2008-03-11
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
CAConstraintLayoutManager Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a layout manager that applies a set of constraints to a layer tree.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-12-11
CAKeyframeAnimation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an animation that provides keyframe interpolation of a layer property.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-07-24
CalAlarm Class Reference (HTML)
Describes the class used to create and initialize alarms.
Apple Applications Reference 2009-03-04
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
CALayer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a node of animated visual content.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2009-02-04
CALayerEssentials (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates the basics of setting up various Core Animation layers
Graphics & Imaging Sample Code 2008-09-30
CALayoutManager Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving requests to arrange a layout tree.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-07-24
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
CalCalendarStore Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to retrieve calendar objects, including calendars, events and tasks.
Apple Applications Reference 2009-04-08
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
Calendar Store Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to access iCal data.
Apple Applications, Data Management, General Guides 2007-10-31
CalEvent Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to get properties about an event.
Apple Applications Reference 2009-03-04
CallJS (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Illustrates how to call JavaScripts on a web page in a WebView from Objective-C and vice versa
Internet & Web Sample Code 2007-03-09
CallMachOFramework (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows two ways of calling a Mach-O framework from a CFM application on Mac OS X.
Runtime Architecture Sample Code 2003-07-17
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
CalRecurrenceRule Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to initialize and get recurrence rules and properties.
Apple Applications Reference 2009-03-04
CalTask Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to get properties about a task.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-10-31
CAMediaTiming Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for the time behavior of an animation.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2009-03-04
CAMediaTimingFunction Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the pacing of an animation as a timing curve.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2008-07-11
CAOpenGLLayer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a layer that acts as a target for OpenGL commands.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2008-03-11
CAPropertyAnimation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for manipulating values of layer properties.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-07-24
Carbon-Cocoa Integration Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use both Carbon and Cocoa in developing an application.
Design Guidelines Guides 2007-10-31
CarbonCocoa_PictureCursor (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use NSCursor from a Carbon based application.
User Experience Sample Code 2007-01-12
CarbonCocoaCoreImageTab (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Carbon-based application creates a Cocoa-based web window which used CoreImage filters to transition between tabbed WebViews
Graphics & Imaging, Internet & Web Sample Code 2006-07-25
CarbonCocoaTempConverter (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to integrate Carbon and Cocoa user interfaces in the same Cocoa application.
Events & Other Input, User Experience Sample Code 2008-03-10
CarbonInCocoa (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
How to use Carbon GUI code in a Cocoa application.
Events & Other Input, User Experience Sample Code 2003-03-26
CarbonQuartzComposer_TV (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to integrate Cocoa based QuartzComposer window into a Carbon based application
Graphics & Imaging, Porting Sample Code 2006-10-02
CARenderer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an object that draws a layer to a Core Graphics context.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2008-04-30
CAScrollLayer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a layer that displays a scrollable portion of another layer.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-07-24
CATextLayer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a layer that draws text.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-12-11
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
CATransition Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides transition animations to layers.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-10-31
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
Certificate, Key, and Trust Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Shows how to evaluate trust for a certificate and recover from a trust failure.
Security Guides 2008-11-19
Certificate, Key, and Trust Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes services to read and evaluate certificates and to use cryptographic keys.
Security Reference 2008-11-19
CFBundleIdentifier and user application access (HTML)
QA1373: Describes the role of CFBundleIdentifier in limiting a user's application access.
Design Guidelines, Security Technical Q&As 2005-02-08
CFM_MachO_CFM (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
CFM application calls Mach-O routine, passing in a fixed up CFM function pointer as a callback parameter.
Runtime Architecture Sample Code 2003-07-17
CFNetwork Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Core Foundation networking functions to work with low-level BSD sockets.
Networking, Security Guides 2009-05-06
CFXML to CFPropertyListRef (and back!) (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1208: Describes to how save and restore a CFPropertyListRef to and from an XML file.
Data Management Technical Q&As 2003-08-29
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
CGContext Bounds (HTML)
QA1048: Explains how to determine the bounds of a CGContext.
Graphics & Imaging, Printing Technical Q&As 2001-07-02
CGContextAddLineToPoint, CGContextAddCurveToPoint, et. al. (HTML)
QA1049: Explains why the CGContextAddXYZ APIs don't draw anything immediately.
Graphics & Imaging, Printing Technical Q&As 2001-07-02
CGContextClosePath (HTML)
QA1046: Explains when you should call CGContextClosePath.
Graphics & Imaging, Printing Technical Q&As 2001-10-02
CGDrawPicture (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Deprecated - Shows how to use the QDPictDrawToCGContext API.
Graphics & Imaging Sample Code 2003-01-14
CGImageRef contents are immutable (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1276: Explains that CGImageRef contents are considered immutable once created.
Graphics & Imaging Technical Q&As 2003-07-17
Changing the TCP Window Size (HTML)
NW47: Describes how to change the TCP window size in Open Transport.
Networking Technical Q&As 1997-03-14
CheckExecutableArchitecture (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Determine whether a particular Mach-O executable contains a version suitable for executing on a given processor architecture.
Runtime Architecture Sample Code 2006-02-07
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
CIAnnotation (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Image annotation application using Core Image Filters. Demonstrates creation and usage of Image Units.
Graphics & Imaging Sample Code 2005-08-01
CIColor Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes additions to support Cocoa color information.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2006-05-23
CIColor Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to manage color values and color spaces for Core Image filters.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2006-12-05
CIColorTracking (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
An Objective-C applicaton that implements a GPU-based technique to find the location of a uniquely colored object in a scene
Graphics & Imaging Sample Code 2008-04-24
CIContext Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides an evaluation context for rendering a Core Image image through Quartz 2D or OpenGL.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-03-16
CIFilter Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that processes image data and produces a Core Image image as output.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-12-11
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
CIFilter Image Kit Additions (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the category that extends Core Image filters for use with Image Kit.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2006-12-06
CIFilterGenerator Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that supports chaining together image processing filters.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2006-12-05
CIFilterShape Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that defines the bounding shape of a filter and the domain of definition of a filter operation.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2006-12-07
CIImage Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes additions for manipulating Cocoa images.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-06-08
CIImage Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that represents an immutable Core Image image.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-10-31
CIImageAccumulator Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that enables feedback-based image processing.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2007-01-05
CIImageProvider Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol used to supply bitmap data for creating or initializing a Core Image image.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2006-12-05
CIKernel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that operates on individual pixels using a kernel routine.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2006-12-05
CIPlugIn Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that is responsible for loading image units.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2006-12-05
CIPlugInRegistration Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol used to load Core Image image units.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2006-12-07
CISampler Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that retrieves samples of images that are then processed by a Core Image kernel.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2006-12-07
CIVector Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to pass parameter values to Core Image filters.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2006-12-07
Clock Control (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates creating a custom control by creating a clock control, implemented as a subclass of NSControl and NSCell.
User Experience Sample Code 2003-02-25
Cocoa - SGDataProc (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Uses a Sequence Grabber data function and an NSQuickDrawView to simulate a preview operation for captured video.
QuickTime Sample Code 2003-01-14
Cocoa and AppleScript: From Top to Bottom (HTML)
Learn how to activate AppleScript in your application so that users can create scripts.
Scripting & Automation Articles 2004-08-23
Cocoa Application Tutorial (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to build a simple Cocoa application using Xcode.
Objective-C Language Guides 2007-10-31
Cocoa Application Tutorial Using Bindings (HTML) (PDF)
A hands-on introduction to Cocoa bindings.
Design Guidelines Guides 2007-07-10
Cocoa Bindings Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to rapidly develop sophisticated user interfaces using Cocoa binding technology.
Design Guidelines, User Experience Guides 2009-03-08
Cocoa Bindings Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the exposed bindings of Cocoa classes.
User Experience Reference 2007-10-31
Cocoa CG aliasing demo (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to draw both aliased and anti-aliased text and graphics using Quartz and Cocoa.
Graphics & Imaging Sample Code 2003-07-17
Cocoa CG arc demo (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to draw both aliased and anti-aliased arcs using Quartz and Cocoa.
Graphics & Imaging Sample Code 2003-07-17
Cocoa Drawing Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa to draw your application's user interface.
Graphics & Imaging Guides 2009-01-06
Cocoa Event-Handling Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces event mechanisms and the types of events in Cocoa and describes how to handle events of each type.
Events & Other Input Guides 2009-02-04
Cocoa Fundamentals Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the basic concepts, terminology, architectures, and design patterns of the Cocoa frameworks and development environment.
Design Guidelines Guides 2008-11-19
Cocoa OpenGL (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates using Cocoa with OpenGL, including window setup and event handling.
Graphics & Imaging Sample Code 2007-10-22
Cocoa Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the performance of Cocoa applications.
Performance Guides 2005-08-11
Cocoa Scripting Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to create scriptable Cocoa applications that use the scripting definition (sdef) format.
Design Guidelines, Scripting & Automation Guides 2008-03-11
Cocoa_With_Carbon_or_CPP (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to call Carbon routines and C++ code from within an Objective-C Cocoa program.
Design Guidelines, Objective-C Language, User Experience Sample Code 2007-02-05
CocoaDragAndDrop (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Implement Drag-and-Drop functionality in Cocoa (uses images; can be extended to support other data types).
Events & Other Input, Interapplication Communication Sample Code 2003-01-14
CocoaEcho (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Cocoa example code showing how to write a simple client and server using NSStream.
Networking Sample Code 2005-06-01