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Leopard Reference Library
Apple provides information hardware developers can use to create products that are compatible with Macintosh computers and programming interfaces software developers can use to create software that drives or accesses devices.

A guided learning path for hardware and driver developers new to Mac OS X.   Essential information for developing drivers and device-access software.   API references organized by framework.
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Leopard Technology Series for Developers: OS Foundations (HTML)
Leopard Overview article on system-level updates.
Bonjour, General, Security Articles 2007-09-04
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.
USB Articles 2007-07-10
Building Customized User Client Drivers for USB Devices (HTML)
Learn how to write the setup code for card readers, bill validators, and other devices.
Human Interface Device & Force Feedback, USB Articles 2006-06-26
HID Class Device Interface Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to develop applications to communicate with or control HID class devices.
Human Interface Device & Force Feedback Guides 2009-05-06
Audio Device Driver Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to develop kernel-resident drivers for audio devices.
Audio Guides 2009-03-04
Network Kernel Extensions Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to write a kernel extension for adding or modifying functionality of a networking stack (Mac OS X 10.4 and later).
Networking Guides 2009-03-02
Code Signing Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how you can sign your code and why you should.
Security Guides 2008-11-19
Mac OS X Server Security Configuration Guide (PDF)
Describes how to configure Mac OS X Server to enhance server and service security.
Mac OS X Server, Networking, Security Guides 2008-06-09
Xserve User's Guide (PDF)
Explains how to install, operate, and update Xserve systems. Includes expansion and hardware specifications.
Apple Hardware Guides 2008-06-09
AirPort Developer Note (HTML)
Describes Apple's implementation of 802.11 wireless LAN standards on Mac computers.
AirPort/802.11 Guides 2008-04-28
Audio Developer Note (HTML)
Describes the analog and digital audio capabilities of Mac computers.
Audio Guides 2008-04-28
Bluetooth Developer Note (HTML)
Provides an overview of Bluetooth technology and describes its implementation in Mac computers.
Bluetooth Guides 2008-04-28
Ethernet Developer Note (HTML)
Provides an overview of Ethernet technology and describes its implementation in Mac computers.
Ethernet Guides 2008-04-28
FireWire Developer Note (HTML)
Provides an overview of FireWire (IEEE 1394) and describes support for it on Mac computers.
FireWire Guides 2008-04-28
iMac Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of iMac computers introduced in April 2008.
Apple Hardware Guides 2008-04-28
PCI Developer Note (HTML)
Provides an overview of PCI technology and describes PCI support on Mac computers.
PCI and PC Card Guides 2008-04-28
RAM Expansion Developer Note (HTML)
Details requirements of RAM modules for use in Mac computers.
Apple Hardware Guides 2008-04-28
Universal Serial Bus Developer Note (HTML)
Provides an overview of Universal Serial Bus (USB) and describes support for it on Mac computers.
USB Guides 2008-04-28
Video Developer Note (HTML)
Details video capabilities of Mac computers.
Graphics & Imaging Guides 2008-04-28
Network Device Driver Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Background and task information about developing network drivers for Mac OS X.
Networking Guides 2008-03-11
15-Inch MacBook Pro Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the 15-inch MacBook Pro computer introduced in February 2008.
Apple Hardware Guides 2008-03-04
17-Inch MacBook Pro Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the 17-inch MacBook Pro computer introduced in February 2008.
Apple Hardware Guides 2008-03-04
MacBook Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the MacBook computer introduced in February 2008.
General Guides 2008-03-04
Xserve G5 Developer Note (HTML) (PDF)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the Xserve G5 computer introduced in January 2005.
Apple Hardware Guides 2008-02-21
PowerMac G4 (HTML) (PDF)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the PowerMac G4 introduced in January 2003.
Apple Hardware Guides 2008-02-20
Xserve Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the 4-core and 8-core Xserve introduced in January 2008.
Apple Hardware Guides 2008-02-08
MacBook Air Developer Note (HTML)
New document specifies internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the MacBook Air computer introduced in January 2008.
Apple Hardware Guides 2008-01-18
Mac Pro Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the Mac Pro computers introduced in January 2008.
Apple Hardware Guides 2008-01-09
15-Inch MacBook Pro Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the 15-inch MacBook Pro computer introduced in November 2007.
Apple Hardware Guides 2007-12-14
17-inch MacBook Pro Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the 17-inch MacBook Pro computer introduced in November 2007.
Apple Hardware Guides 2007-12-14
Bluetooth Device Access Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to develop applications that access Bluetooth-enabled devices.
Bluetooth Guides 2007-12-11
Apple Xserve Diagnostics User's Guide (PDF)
New document that explains how to use Apple Xserve Diagnostics tool to test server hardware.
Apple Hardware Guides 2007-12-04
MacBook Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the MacBook computer introduced in November 2007.
Apple Hardware Guides 2007-11-10
USB Device Interface Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Provides background information and sample code for developing applications to communicate with or control USB devices and interfaces.
USB Guides 2007-09-04
iMac Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of iMac computers introduced in August 2007.
Apple Hardware Guides 2007-08-07
CCL Modem Scripting Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Networking, Serial, USB Guides 2007-06-28
15-inch MacBook Pro Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the 15-inch MacBook Pro computer introduced in June 2007.
Apple Hardware Guides 2007-06-11
17-inch MacBook Pro Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the 17-inch MacBook Pro computer introduced in June 2007.
Apple Hardware Guides 2007-06-11
I/O Kit Fundamentals (HTML) (PDF)
The basics of developing device drivers. Includes descriptions of I/O Kit families.
General, Performance Guides 2007-05-17
MacBook Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the MacBook computer introduced in May 2007.
Apple Hardware Guides 2007-05-17
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
15-inch MacBook Pro Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the 15-inch MacBook Pro computer introduced in October 2006.
Apple Hardware Guides 2007-05-03
15-inch MacBook Pro Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the 15-inch MacBook Pro computer introduced in October 2006.
Apple Hardware Guides 2007-05-03
iMac Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of iMac computers with SuperDrive introduced September 2006.
Apple Hardware Guides 2007-05-03
Mac Pro Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the Mac Pro computer introduced in August 2006.
Apple Hardware Guides 2007-05-03
Mac Pro Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the Mac Pro computers introduced in April 2007.
Apple Hardware Guides 2007-04-05
17-inch MacBook Pro Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the 17-inch MacBook Pro computer introduced in October 2006.
Apple Hardware Guides 2007-04-04
iMac Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the iMac computer introduced in January 2006.
Apple Hardware Guides 2007-04-04
Mac mini Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the Mac mini computer introduced in February 2006.
Apple Hardware Guides 2007-04-04
MacBook Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the MacBook computer introduced in May 2006.
Apple Hardware Guides 2007-04-04
MacBook Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the MacBook computer introduced in November 2006.
Apple Hardware Guides 2007-04-04
17-inch MacBook Pro Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the 17-inch MacBook Pro computer introduced in April 2006.
Apple Hardware Guides 2007-04-03
Mass Storage Device Driver Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Background and task information about developing kernel-resident drivers for mass storage devices.
Storage Guides 2007-04-03
Device File Access Guide for Storage Devices (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for using I/O Kit and POSIX functions to develop applications that communicate with storage devices.
Storage Guides 2007-03-06
I/O Kit Device Driver Design Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Design guidelines and tips for developing, debugging, and deploying kernel-resident device drivers, including user clients.
General Guides 2007-03-06
Power Mac G5 Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the Power Mac G5 introduced in October 2005.
Apple Hardware Guides 2007-03-06
Accessing Hardware From Applications (HTML) (PDF)
Tips and guidelines for developing applications that communicate with or control devices.
General Guides 2007-02-08
FireWire Device Interface Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to develop applications to communicate with or control FireWire devices and units.
FireWire Guides 2007-02-08
SCSI Architecture Model Device Interface Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to develop applications that communicate with or control SCSI Architecture Model devices.
SCSI Guides 2007-02-08
Xserve Developer Note (HTML)
Apple Hardware Guides 2007-01-12
17-inch iMac for Education Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the 17-inch iMac for Education computer introduced in July 2006.
Apple Hardware Guides 2006-11-07
Kernel Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Essential information for programming in the Mac OS X kernel. Includes a high-level overview.
General Guides 2006-11-07
Network Kernel Extensions (legacy) (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to write a kernel extension for adding or modifying functionality of a networking stack (Mac OS X 10.3 and earlier).
Networking Guides 2006-10-03
Performance Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the factors that determine performance.
Performance Guides 2006-10-03
iMac Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of iMac computers with Combo drive introduced September 2006.
Apple Hardware Guides 2006-09-07
Hardware Developer Note Terms and Abbreviations (HTML)
Lists common terms and abbreviations used in Apple's Hardware Developer Notes.
General Guides 2006-08-08
Memory Usage Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the performance of memory-related code.
Performance Guides 2006-06-28
HBA Device Driver Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to develop a high-performance, kernel-resident driver for an HBA device.
Fibre Channel, SCSI, Serial Guides 2006-05-23
iMac G5 Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the iMac G5 computer introduced in October 2005.
Apple Hardware Guides 2006-04-07
Writing PCI Drivers (HTML) (PDF)
Conceptual information about writing I/O Kit drivers for PCI, AGP, and CardBus (PC Card) devices.
PCI and PC Card Guides 2006-04-04
Device File Access Guide for Serial Devices (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for using I/O Kit and POSIX functions to develop applications that communicate with serial devices.
Serial Guides 2005-12-06
Coding in the Kernel (HTML)
Considerations and caveats about programming in the kernel.
General Guides 2005-11-09
15-inch PowerBook G4 Developer Note (HTML) (PDF)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the 15-inch PowerBook G4 introduced in October 2005.
Apple Hardware Guides 2005-10-27
17-inch PowerBook G4 Developer Note (HTML) (PDF)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the 17-inch PowerBook G4 introduced in October 2005.
Apple Hardware Guides 2005-10-19
iBook Developer Note (HTML) (PDF)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the iBook G4 computer introduced in July 2005.
Apple Hardware Guides 2005-07-26
eMac Developer Note (HTML) (PDF)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the eMac computer introduced in May 2005.
Apple Hardware Guides 2005-05-03
iMac G5 Developer Note (HTML) (PDF)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the iMac G5 introduced in May 2005.
Apple Hardware Guides 2005-05-03
Power Mac G5 Developer Note (HTML) (PDF)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the Power Mac G5 introduced in April 2005.
Apple Hardware Guides 2005-04-29
Mac mini Developer Note (HTML) (PDF)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the Mac mini introduced January 2005.
Apple Hardware Guides 2005-04-05
12-inch PowerBook G4 Developer Note (HTML) (PDF)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the 12-inch PowerBook G4 introduced in January 2005.
Apple Hardware Guides 2005-02-04
Xserve G5 PCI Hardware RAID Card (PDF)
Explains how to install the card in an Xserve G5 and how to set up a RAID volume.
Apple Hardware, Storage Guides 2005-01-03
Xserve G5 Quick Start (PDF)
Explains where to find information for installing, setting up, using, and monitoring Xserve G5 systems.
Apple Hardware Guides 2005-01-03
Xserve G5 Using the Hardware RAID PCI Card (PDF)
Explains how to use the software provided with the Hardware RAID PCI Card to configure and manage RAID operations.
Apple Hardware, Storage Guides 2005-01-03
Xserve G5 Using Xserve Remote Diagnostics (PDF)
Explains how to use the Xserve Remote Diagnostics tool to test server hardware.
Apple Hardware Guides 2005-01-03
Xserve RAID User's Guide (PDF)
Explains how to install the Xserve RAID system, connect it to a host system, and configure RAID storage.
Apple Hardware, Storage Guides 2005-01-03
Power Mac G5 -- Single Processor Developer Note (HTML) (PDF)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the single processor Power Mac G5 introduced October 2004.
Apple Hardware Guides 2004-10-19
iSight Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Apple iSight video camera and its enhancements.
FireWire, Graphics & Imaging Guides 2004-10-05
User-Mode USB Device Arbitration (HTML)
Information about using USB device arbitration, available in Mac OS X version 10.1 and later.
USB Guides 2002-02-06
All Hardware Products (HTML)
A list of links to all Apple hardware developer notes.
Apple Hardware Guides
I/O Kit Framework Reference (HTML)
Describes the I/O Kit classes that support non-kernel access to I/O Kit objects through the device-interface mechanism.
ATA, Audio, Ethernet, Fibre Channel, FireWire, General, Graphics & Imaging, Human Interface Device & Force Feedback, Networking, Open Firmware, PCI and PC Card, Performance, Scanners, SCSI, Serial, Still Cameras, Storage, USB Reference 2009-03-04
Kernel Framework Reference (HTML)
Describes the APIs and classes (including I/O Kit families) that support kernel-resident device drivers.
ATA, Audio, Ethernet, Fibre Channel, FireWire, General, Graphics & Imaging, Human Interface Device & Force Feedback, Networking, Open Firmware, PCI and PC Card, SCSI, Storage, USB Reference 2009-01-06
Quartz Display Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for configuring and controlling display hardware.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2008-11-19
Bluetooth Framework Reference (HTML)
Describes the C and Objective-C APIs that support user-space access to Bluetooth devices.
Bluetooth Reference 2008-10-15
DNS Service Discovery Java Reference (HTML)
Describes DNS Service Discovery API features of ZeroConf networking for Java on Mac OS X in Javadoc format.
Bonjour Reference 2008-10-15
Bluetooth User Interface Framework Reference (HTML)
Describes the C and Objective-C APIs that provide a consistent user interface to Bluetooth services.
Bluetooth Reference 2008-04-08
Disk Arbitration Framework Reference (HTML)
Describes Disc Arbitration API, which includes information on mount/unmount notification and dissent.
ATA, Fibre Channel, General, SCSI, Storage Reference 2008-04-08
FireWire Audio User Library Framework Reference (HTML)
Describes the API that supports user-space access to FireWire audio devices and enables the creation of virtual FireWire audio devices.
Audio, FireWire Reference 2008-04-08
Force Feedback Framework Reference (HTML)
Describes the public interfaces to the Force Feedback implementation in Mac OS X, including support for plug-ins.
Human Interface Device & Force Feedback Reference 2008-04-08
Image Capture Device Modules Reference (HTML)
Describes the API to add support for image capture devices, such as cameras, phones, and scanners, to Mac OS X.
Graphics & Imaging Reference 2008-04-08
Affinity API Release Notes for Mac OS X v10.5 (HTML)
Explains how to influence which CPU core runs a group of threads (for performance optimization).
Performance Release Notes 2007-10-31