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Leopard Reference Library
A full suite of free developer tools is available to Mac OS X developers, who can speed up their development process by using these tools to prototype, compile, debug, and optimize their software products. Xcode, Apple's integrated development environment, can be used with Cocoa, Carbon, or Java. Apple also provides a wide selection of open source tools, such as GCC.

A guided introduction for developers new to Mac OS X developer tools.   Essential information for developers using the Xcode software development tool set.  
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How to add a folder to the contents of a package (HTML)
QA1484: Describes how to add a folder of files to the package contents of executable code
Xcode Technical Q&As 2006-10-31
How to solve '_objc_exception_set_functions' ZeroLink errors in Xcode (HTML)
QA1321: Explains how to eliminate '_objc_exception_set_functions' ZeroLink errors in Xcode
Xcode Technical Q&As 2003-10-29
How to work around HIMovieViewCreate failing (HTML)
QA1417: Describes how to work around HIMovieViewCreate failing to initialize the view in QuickTime 7
Interface Builder Technical Q&As 2008-03-11
IBDocument Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an Interface Builder document, which visually represents a nib file.
Interface Builder Reference 2009-01-06
IBFragmentView (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Illustrates building an Interface Builder plugin including a custom inspector and library integration for a custom view.
Interface Builder Sample Code 2006-08-01
IBInspector Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for managing inspector views in Interface Builder.
Interface Builder Reference 2007-07-11
IBPlugin Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for managing plug-ins in Interface Builder.
Interface Builder Reference 2007-04-02
Importing Projects from WO 4.5.x into WO 5.0 (HTML)
QA1035: Describes how to import WebObjects 4.5.x projects into WebObjects 5.0.
WebObjects Technical Q&As 2001-07-09
Improving Your Software with Xcode andStatic Code Analysis Techniques (HTML)
Learn about static analysis and get started using it with an Xcode project.
Performance, Xcode Articles 2006-07-10
Including a custom NSWindow in a nib file (HTML)
QA1511: Shows how to create a custom NSWindow and instantiate it in a nib file.
Interface Builder Technical Q&As 2007-03-21
Installer JavaScript Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the JavaScript object model used in distribution definition files.
Files & Software Installation Reference 2008-12-16
Installer Tiger Examples (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
A walkthrough of using distribution scripts and other Tiger Installer features.
Files & Software Installation Sample Code 2005-06-01
InstallerPluginSample (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Provides instructions for extending software installation using custom plugins
Files & Software Installation Sample Code 2006-08-30
Installing Your Application on Mac OS X: Guidelines for Developers (HTML)
Get tips for making the installation process easier for you and your customers.
Files & Software Installation Articles 2005-06-13
Instruments User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Instruments application and explains how to use it to examine program behavior.
Performance Guides 2008-10-15
Interface Builder 3.0 Release Notes (HTML)
Interface Builder Release Notes 2008-03-05
Interface Builder 3.1 Release Notes (HTML)
Updated for Interface Builder 3.1
Interface Builder Release Notes 2008-05-30
Interface Builder 3.1.1 Release Notes (HTML)
Describes configuration changes, bug fixes, and newly reported issues since Interface Builder 3.1.
Xcode Release Notes 2008-09-09
Interface Builder Kit Constants Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the constants declared in the Interface Builder Kit framework.
Interface Builder Reference 2007-04-02
Interface Builder Kit Data Types Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the data types declared in the Interface Builder Kit framework.
Interface Builder Reference 2007-04-02
Interface Builder Kit Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for implementing Interface Builder plug-ins.
Interface Builder Reference 2007-04-18
Interface Builder Plug-In Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the process for creating custom Interface Builder palettes.
Interface Builder Guides 2007-07-18
Interface Builder User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Conceptual information and tasks explaining how to use the Interface Builder application to design user interfaces.
Interface Builder Guides 2008-11-19
Interface element identification in Interface Builder (HTML)
QA1323: Describes a way to easily visually identify interface elements in a nib file.
Interface Builder Technical Q&As 2006-10-06
Internationalization Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to support multiple languages in software.
Localization Guides 2009-01-06
Introducing Xcode 2.3 (HTML)
Get an overview of Xcode 2.3.
Xcode Articles 2006-05-31
Introduction to Open Source Scripting on Mac OS X (HTML)
Learn your scripting options for automating a wide range of tasks quickly.
Scripting & Automation Articles 2005-08-01
iSync Manual Test Suite Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the suite of manual test cases that plug-in developers should run before shipping their product.
General, Syncing Guides 2007-07-11
iSync Plug-in Maker User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use the iSync Plug-in Maker tool to create and test iSync phone plug-ins.
General, Syncing Guides 2007-07-10
iSync Sample Document (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
iSync Plug-in Maker sample document, illustrating how to build an iSync plug-in for a SyncML phone.
Syncing Sample Code 2006-08-01
Jar Bundler User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Conceptual information and a tutorial about deploying JAR-based applications as Mac OS X application bundles.
Compiling & Debugging, Java Guides 2006-05-23
Java for WebObjects Developers (PDF)
Introduces Java concepts and terms to WebObjects developers. Includes exercises for developing Java expertise in WebObjects.
WebObjects Guides 2003-05-27
Java on Intel-based Macs (HTML)
QA1295: Required changes (if any) for Java applications to run on Intel-based Macs.
Java Technical Q&As 2006-10-17
JDragNDrop (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Deprecated - Demonstrates building a simple view to implement Drag-and-Drop functionality in Cocoa-Java.
Java Sample Code 2003-01-14
JNI Development on Mac OS X (HTML)
TN2147: Discusses use of native APIs and UI elements from Java applications
Java Technical Notes 2006-04-17
Kernel Core Dumps (HTML)
TN2118: Explains how to gather and use remote kernel core dumps.
Compiling & Debugging, Darwin Technical Notes 2008-11-12
Launch Time Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the launch performance of an application.
Performance Guides 2006-04-04
ld Release Notes for Xcode 3.1 (HTML)
Xcode Release Notes 2008-05-29
Leopard Technology Series for Developers: Graphics & Media Overview (HTML)
Describes Leopard's graphics and media capabilities.
Graphics & Imaging Articles 2007-12-11
Leopard Technology Series for Developers: Introducing Dashcode (HTML)
Learn how Dashcode makes widget development easier than ever.
Dashcode, Scripting & Automation Articles 2007-01-09
Leopard Technology Series for Developers: Leopard Developer Tools Overview (HTML)
Learn how Leopard developer tools make it easier than ever to create exciting applications.
Xcode Articles 2006-11-15
Leopard Technology Series for Developers: Objective-C 2.0 Overview (HTML)
Describes features and capabilities introduced in Objective-C 2.0.
General Articles 2007-12-11
Libtool (HTML)
Documentation for GNU Libtool.
Compiling & Debugging Reference 2008-06-19
LLVM-GCC Release Notes (HTML)
Lists changes to LLVM-GCC technology.
Compiling & Debugging, Xcode Release Notes 2008-09-09
Mac OS X ABI Dynamic Loader Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the functions used to access Mach-O files.
Compiling & Debugging Reference 2005-11-09
Mac OS X ABI Function Call Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the function-calling conventions used in the architectures supported by Mac OS X.
Compiling & Debugging, Intel-Based Macs Guides 2009-02-04
Mac OS X ABI Mach-O File Format Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the data structures that make up the Mach-O file format.
Darwin Reference 2009-02-04
Mac OS X Assembler Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the syntax, directives, and specific options required for the Mac OS X assembler.
Compiling & Debugging Reference 2009-01-07
Mac OS X Debugging Magic (HTML)
TN2124: Collection of Mac OS X debugging hints and tips.
Compiling & Debugging Technical Notes 2007-01-10
Mac OS X Man Pages (HTML)
HTML versions of the Mac OS X, Mac OS X Server, Xcode Tools, and CHUD man pages.
Darwin Reference 2008-04-29
Mac OS X v10.1 (HTML)
TN2029: Updated list of APIs for Mac OS X 10.1.
Files & Software Installation Technical Notes 2001-10-15
Mac OS X: versions 10.0.1 through 10.0.4 (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
TN2025: List of API differences betweem 10.0.1 trough 10.0.4
Xcode Technical Notes 2001-07-26
Mach-O Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Explains the use of the Mac OS X runtime architecture, including program types, loading and executing code, and using libraries and plug-ins.
Compiling & Debugging Guides 2009-02-04
MachPortDump (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Dumps out the Mach port name space of a process; useful when debugging port right leaks.
Compiling & Debugging Sample Code 2005-08-10
Malloc Debug Environment Variables Release Notes (HTML)
Performance Release Notes 2005-04-29
ManagedObjectDataFormatter (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
A Data Formatter for Xcode 2.0 and 2.1 that displays NSManagedObject * variables.
Compiling & Debugging, Xcode Sample Code 2005-06-01
Maximizing Mac OS X Application Performance (HTML)
Learn how to achieve better performance on Mac OS X.
Performance Articles 2003-06-23
Memory Usage Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the performance of memory-related code.
Performance Guides 2006-06-28
Missing Results in Xcode Project Find Window (HTML)
QA1580: A workaround for when a search that previously returned results generates no files found in Xcode
Xcode Technical Q&As 2008-03-06
MoreAppleEvents (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Provides routines that assist with the creation and sending of Apple events and object descriptors.
Scripting & Automation Sample Code 2003-01-14
Moving To GCC 4.0 (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to fix code that GCC 3.3 accepts but GCC 4.0 doesn't.
Compiling & Debugging Sample Code 2005-06-01
Moving Your Project from CodeWarrior to Xcode (HTML)
Get started moving your project from CodeWarrior to Xcode.
Xcode Articles 2005-11-28
MyFirstJNIProject (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
A Java application that calls the Address Book framework through the JNI
Java Sample Code 2006-04-12
Nested Functions in Xcode (HTML)
TN2161: This technote explains how to port code which uses nested functions in Xcode 2.2.
Compiling & Debugging, Xcode Technical Notes 2006-01-10
Netwide Assembler Guide (HTML)
Describes the Netwide Assembler for Intel-based Macs.
Compiling & Debugging, Darwin Reference 2008-06-19
NSObject Interface Builder Kit Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes additions, used by Interface Builder plug-ins, for inspecting objects.
Interface Builder Reference 2007-05-10
NSView Interface Builder Kit Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes additions, used by Interface Builder plug-ins, for manipulating views.
Interface Builder Reference 2007-05-10
The Objective-C 2.0 Programming Language (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces object-oriented programming and describes the main programming language used for Cocoa development.
General Guides 2009-05-06
ODOC (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Illustrates how to send an open document ('odoc') Apple event to another application process.
Scripting & Automation Sample Code 2003-01-14
OpenGL Driver Monitor User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to view the properties supported by the OpenGL drivers available on the system.
Graphics & Imaging Guides 2008-02-08
OpenGL Profiler User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to assess the efficiency of an OpenGL application.
Graphics & Imaging Guides 2008-02-08
OpenGL Shader Builder User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use OpenGL Shader Builder to develop and test GPU programs.
Graphics & Imaging Guides 2008-06-23
OpenGL Tools for Serious Graphics Development (HTML)
Learn how Apple's best-of-breed OpenGL tools help developers locate, analyze, and debug graphics bottlenecks.
Graphics & Imaging Articles 2004-02-02
Optimizing with Shark: Big Payoff, Small Effort (HTML)
Learn to improve your application's performance by sampling a real application using Shark.
Performance Articles 2004-01-19
Optimizing Your Application with System Trace in Shark 4 (HTML)
See how your code interacts with Mac OS X using the power of Shark.
Performance Articles 2006-01-30
Optimizing Your Applications with Shark 4 (HTML)
Learn how using Shark 4 can help you dramatically improve performance in your application.
Performance Articles 2004-11-08
PackageMaker User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to use PackageMaker to create installation packages.
Files & Software Installation Guides 2009-01-06
PackageMaker's NeedsAuthorization value causes install to fail (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1283: Provides a workaround when PackageMaker's NeedsAuthorization value causes a Mac OS X 10.1 installation failure.
Files & Software Installation Technical Q&As 2003-08-25
Packaging UNIX Software (HTML)
Explains how to post UNIX and other command-line tools to Apple's Macintosh Product Guide.
Darwin Guides 2001-04-20
Performance Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the factors that determine performance.
Performance Guides 2006-10-03
PIDFromBSDProcessName (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Provides a simple API to do process PID lookup based on BSD process name.
Darwin Sample Code 2003-02-13
Porting CodeWarrior Projects to Xcode (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to move software projects from CodeWarrior to Xcode and compares the two development environments.
Intel-Based Macs, Xcode Guides 2006-10-26
Porting UNIX/Linux Applications to Mac OS X (HTML) (PDF)
Conceptual information and tips about porting UNIX and Linux applications to Mac OS X.
Darwin Guides 2008-04-08
Preprocessing Info.plist files in Xcode Using the C Preprocessor (HTML)
TN2175: Describes workarounds for several issues concerning preprocessing Info.plist files in Xcode with the C preprocessor.
Xcode Technical Notes 2007-08-14
Programmatically causing restart, shutdown and/or logout (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1134: Describes how to programmatically cause restart, shutdown, sleep or logout.
Scripting & Automation Technical Q&As 2008-09-24
Project Builder 2.1 needs projects to be checked into CVS to enable CVS support (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1245: Explains how to workaround a bug in Project Builder that blocks CVS functionality.
Source Control, Xcode Technical Q&As 2003-03-20
QCFundamentals (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates Coordinate, Interpolation, and Iterative systems in Quartz Composer with an amusing animation
Graphics & Imaging Sample Code 2006-08-07
QCGalaxy (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates use of Particle Systems and Core Image Filters in Quartz Composer
Graphics & Imaging Sample Code 2006-08-07
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
Quartz Composer WWDC 2005 Composition (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to build a parameterized motion graphics composition with Quartz Composer.
Graphics & Imaging Sample Code 2005-06-01
QuickTime 6.4 & AvailabilityMacros.h on Mac OS X 10.2.x (HTML)
QA1316: Fixing compilation issues when upgrading to QuickTime 6.4 on Mac OS X 10.2.x systems.
Xcode Technical Q&As 2003-10-21
Reminders (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Dashboard widget with a plug-in that displays upcoming iCal events, to do items, and calendars.
Dashcode Sample Code 2008-07-25
Remote or Two-Machine Debugging Applications with GDB (HTML)
QA1279: Explains how to setup a remote or two-machine debugging configuration using gdb and ssh.
Compiling & Debugging Technical Q&As 2003-09-09
Runtime Configuration Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Conceptual and reference information for dynamically configuring your software.
Files & Software Installation Guides 2008-07-08
Saturn 4.5 User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to analyze a program's function-calling structure.
Performance Guides 2007-10-31
ScriptBuildPhases (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Augmenting Project Builder build phases with scripts to do extra work or invoke other tools.
Xcode Sample Code 2003-01-14
ScriptView (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to build a script editor application with a built-in script database using AppleScript Studio.
Scripting & Automation Sample Code 2005-06-01
SDKExample (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to weak-link against the Carbon framework in various SDKs to adopt new OS features in a single executable.
Xcode Sample Code 2005-06-06
Server-Side Java with the Struts Framework on Mac OS X (HTML)
Learn how to combine such things as Servlets, JSP, and custom Struts tag libraries using Struts.
Java Articles 2003-07-17
Setting default open Finder window (HTML)
QA1449: How to set the default Finder window to open when a disk is mounted
Files & Software Installation Technical Q&As 2006-01-03