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Leopard Reference Library
Mac OS X combines an open source, UNIX-based core with such features as the Aqua user interface, the Quartz graphics system, and rich application-development frameworks. The documents here provide an overview of the concepts and technical capabilities of Mac OS X most relevant to developers, and are focused on Mac OS X as a whole.

A guided introduction and learning path for developers new to Mac OS X.   Essential information about Apple's Mac OS X operating system.  
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64-Bit Transition Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the 64-bit features available in Mac OS X.
General Guides 2008-04-08
Apple Human Interface Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the Mac OS X user experience and explains how to design an application for Aqua.
General Guides 2008-06-09
AppleScript Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the technology for writing scripts to control applications. Useful for scripters and application developers.
General Guides 2007-10-31
Carbon Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Defines Carbon and the components of Carbon applications. Provides a whirlwind tour of Carbon APIs.
General Guides 2005-11-09
Cocoa Fundamentals Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the basic concepts, terminology, architectures, and design patterns of the Cocoa frameworks and development environment.
General Guides 2008-11-19
Core Foundation Design Concepts (HTML) (PDF)
Explains the fundamental design concepts that underlie all Core Foundation programming interfaces.
General Guides 2005-08-11
Creating an Application with Tiger Technologies (HTML)
Learn how to build an application using key technologies in Tiger.
General Articles 2005-06-06
Dynamic Loader Release Notes (HTML)
Updated for Mac OS X v10.5.
General Release Notes 2009-03-04
File System Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Conceptual information and guidelines describing the structure and usage of the Mac OS X file system.
General Guides 2008-07-11
I/O Kit Fundamentals (HTML) (PDF)
The basics of developing device drivers. Includes descriptions of I/O Kit families.
General Guides 2007-05-17
Leopard Technology Series for Developers: Leopard Technology Overview (HTML)
Learn how to get ready for Leopard.
General Articles 2006-03-27
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
Leopard Technology Series for Developers: OS Foundations (HTML)
Leopard Overview article on system-level updates.
General Articles 2007-09-04
Mac OS X Notification Overview (HTML) (PDF)
General Guides 2007-05-15
Mac OS X Technology Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces Mac OS X and its technologies.
General Guides 2008-10-15
Making the Most of the ADC Reference Library (HTML)
Introduces the ADC Reference Library, its organization, and tools for navigating to the content you need.
General Articles 2007-06-26
Multiple User Environments (HTML) (PDF)
Explains the system's user environment and gives guidance on writing programs for that environment.
General Guides 2005-07-07
Porting UNIX/Linux Applications to Mac OS X (HTML) (PDF)
Conceptual information and tips about porting UNIX and Linux applications to Mac OS X.
General Guides 2008-04-08
QuickTime Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the main concepts and services of QuickTime.
General Guides 2005-08-11
Runtime Configuration Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Conceptual and reference information for dynamically configuring your software.
General Guides 2008-07-08
Security Overview (HTML) (PDF)
An introduction to computer security concepts and the security APIs in Mac OS X and iPhone OS.
General Guides 2008-10-15
Spotlight Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the main components and services of Apple's metadata technology.
General Guides 2007-05-27
Stack Execution Release Notes (HTML)
General Release Notes 2007-07-17
System Startup Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Explains the boot process used to initialize the Mac OS X operating system.
General Guides 2008-11-19
Tiger Develop Overview Series: Mac OS X v.10.4 Tiger (HTML)
Learn about Tiger's features, programming interfaces, and frameworks.
General Articles 2004-10-19
Universal Binary Programming Guidelines, Second Edition (HTML) (PDF)
Conceptual information and tips for writing code that runs on PowerPC-based and Intel-based Macintosh computers.
General Guides 2009-02-04
What's New In Mac OS X (HTML) (PDF)
Summarizes new Mac OS X technologies.
General Release Notes 2007-12-11