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Leopard Reference Library: User Experience
User experience encompasses the visual appearance, interactive behavior, and assistive capabilities of software. From an application's graphical user interface to its use of additional technologies such as speech recognition and speech synthesis, a cohesive and professional user experience is what Mac users have come to expect. Cocoa provides a complete suite of Interface Builder palettes and programmatic interfaces that developers can use to deliver this experience in their applications.

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NSSegmentedCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an action cell that provides appearance and behavior for an NSSegmentedControl object.
Reference 2009-05-06
NSSegmentedControl Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a horizontal button divided into multiple segments
Reference 2009-05-06
Search Kit Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for supporting user searches of textual content.
Reference 2009-05-06
NSButtonCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a cell that responds to mouse clicks.
Reference 2009-04-08
NSScroller Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control for scrolling a document view within a scroll view.
Reference 2009-04-08
NSSplitView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a container for subviews with a user-controlled portion of each visible.
Reference 2009-04-08
NSUserDefaults Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an object for managing preference information.
Reference 2009-04-08
Dock Tile Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to provide an icon and contextual menu in Carbon applications.
Guides 2009-03-04
NSWindow Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a window.
Reference 2009-03-04
Dialogs and Special Panels (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to create alert panels. Includes links to documents about other types of panels.
Guides 2009-02-04
NSCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for cell objects.
Reference 2009-02-04
NSHelpManager Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an application-level help system.
Reference 2009-02-04
NSMenuView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a deprecated class replaced by the NSMenu class.
Reference 2009-02-04
NSOpenPanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the panel that a user employs to locate and open a file.
Reference 2009-02-04
NSOutlineView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a row-and-column format view for displaying hierarchical data.
Reference 2009-02-04
NSSavePanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the panel that a user employs to set a file-system location and save a file.
Reference 2009-02-04
Toolbar Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa toolbars.
Guides 2009-02-04
Window Programming Guide for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa windows and panels.
Guides 2009-02-04
NSCursor Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the appearance of the user interface cursor.
Reference 2009-01-06
NSImageCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an object that displays an image in a frame, usually in a control.
Reference 2009-01-06
NSPanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a window for performing auxiliary functions in an application.
Reference 2009-01-06
NSSpeechSynthesizer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Cocoa parser that converts text to speech.
Reference 2009-01-06
NSTextField Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control that displays editable text.
Reference 2009-01-06
NSTextFieldCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the user interface of a text field.
Reference 2009-01-06
Application Kit Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for all things related to an application's user interface.
Reference 2008-11-19
NSDateFormatter Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a date formatter.
Reference 2008-11-19
NSNumberFormatter Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a number formatter.
Reference 2008-11-19
Button Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa buttons.
Guides 2008-10-15
Control and Cell Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains the relationship between Cocoa control and cell objects.
Guides 2008-10-15
NSBox Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a view that can display its border and a title.
Reference 2008-10-15
NSControl Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for views that respond to user actions by sending action messages.
Reference 2008-10-15
NSMatrix Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a group of cell objects that work together in various ways.
Reference 2008-10-15
NSPopUpButton Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control for displaying pull-down or pop-up lists of items.
Reference 2008-10-15
NSPopUpButtonCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a cell used in the display of pull-down or pop-up menus.
Reference 2008-10-15
NSTokenField Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a text field that provides tokenized editing.
Reference 2008-10-15
NSToolbar Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a toolbar in a window's title bar.
Reference 2008-10-15
WebKit Objective-C Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use the WebKit to embed web content in both Cocoa and Carbon applications.
Guides 2008-10-15
Requirements for Quartz GL (HTML)
QA1536: Describes the requirements for enabling Quartz GL.
Technical Q&As 2008-08-08
Image Kit with Core Data (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Using Image Kit's browser view with Core Data content.
Sample Code 2008-07-25
Apple Human Interface Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the Mac OS X user experience and explains how to design an application for Aqua.
Guides 2008-06-09
NSDatePicker Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control for displaying and editing a date.
Reference 2008-06-09
NSDatePickerCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a cell for displaying and editing a date.
Reference 2008-06-09
SpotlightFortunes (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to provision a Spotlight importer plug-in for a custom UTI, and how to use a NSMetadataQuery with bindings to display live query results in a table view.
Sample Code 2008-06-06
Disc Recording UI Framework Reference (HTML)
Describes the Objective-C and C API for presenting a user interface when burning audio and data CDs and DVDs.
Reference 2008-04-08
AbstractTree (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Using NSTreeController with NSOutlineView, Bindings, and Core Data.
Sample Code 2008-03-17
NSProgressIndicator Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control that shows that a lengthy task is under way.
Reference 2008-03-11
NSSearchFieldCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a search field cell.
Reference 2008-03-11
NSLocale Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a locale.
Reference 2008-02-08
NSMenu Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an application menu.
Reference 2008-02-08
NSMenuItem Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a menu item.
Reference 2008-02-08
NSRuleEditor Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a graphical rule editor.
Reference 2008-02-08
Quick Look Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the purporse and architecture of Quick Look generators and explains how to create them.
Guides 2008-02-08
Re-enabling dragging from NSTableView to other applications (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1220: Explains how to re-enable drag-and-drop from NSTableViews to other applications
Technical Q&As 2008-02-08
Search Fields (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa search fields.
Guides 2008-02-08
Enabling the application menu's "Preferences" menu item on Mac OS X (HTML)
QA1552: Describes the two things you need to implement to enable the "Preferences" menu item on Mac OS X.
Technical Q&As 2008-01-21
IconCollection (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use NSCollectionView along with NSWorkspace and named images to determine its content.
Sample Code 2008-01-18
DictionaryController (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
"DictionaryController" is a Cocoa application that demonstrates various ways in how to use the NSDictionaryController class.
Sample Code 2007-12-20
Boinx Starts with Sample Code: FotoMagico Is a Powerful Digital Slideshow (HTML)
Starting with Apple sample code, tools and technologies, Boinx wrote FotoMagico in a matter of months.
Articles 2007-12-11
Token Field Programming Guide for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to set up and programatically manage a token field.
Guides 2007-12-11
SourceView (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use NSOutlineView driven by NSTreeController.
Sample Code 2007-11-15
Apple Help Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to author, package, and display user help content in Mac OS X.
Guides 2007-10-31
DiscRecording Release Notes (HTML)
Updated for Mac OS X v10.5
Release Notes 2007-10-31
NSSecureTextFieldCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the user interface of a secure text field.
Reference 2007-10-31
NSTableColumn Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the display characteristics and attribute identifiers for a column in a table view.
Reference 2007-10-31
QLThumbnailRequest Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an opaque type for handling requests for Quick Look thumbnail images.
Reference 2007-10-31
User Defaults Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use the Cocoa defaults system to create and save user preferences.
Guides 2007-10-31
ButtonMadness (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use the various types of buttons using a nib file or programatically.
Sample Code 2007-10-30
BundleLoader (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to load multiple Cocoa bundles or NSBundles (also known as plug-ins) into the main NSApplication.
Sample Code 2007-09-21
DockTile (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to customize your application's icon in the Dock by using the NSDockTile class.
Sample Code 2007-09-11
Pasteboard Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to transfer data using pasteboard operations in Cocoa.
Guides 2007-07-13
User Interface Validation (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use the standard mechanism to validate user interface items in Cocoa.
Guides 2007-07-10
NSFormatter Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for formatter objects.
Reference 2007-07-09
Application Menu and Pop-up List Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how Cocoa menus and lists work and how to manipulate items within them.
Guides 2007-06-26
LayerBackedOpenGLView (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
"LayerBackedOpenGLView" provides a simple example of hosting Cocoa controls as subviews of an NSOpenGLView.
Sample Code 2007-06-12
BasicCocoaAnimations (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
"BasicCocoaAnimations" demonstrates the use of the animator proxy to easily animate Cocoa views and windows.
Sample Code 2007-06-11
CustomSave (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to customize the NSSavePanel.
Sample Code 2007-06-11
MenuItemView (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates embedding an NSView inside a menu item or NSMenuItem.
Sample Code 2007-06-11
ViewController (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use "NSViewController".
Sample Code 2007-06-11
TrackBall (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to build a custom control based on the NSControl class.
Sample Code 2007-06-07
PredicateEditorSample (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use the NSPredicateEditor class.
Sample Code 2007-06-06
PrefsPane (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
A Cocoa sample System Preferences bundle that demonstrates how to use the NSPreferencePane class.
Sample Code 2007-06-06
SpeedometerView (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to make a custom NSView.
Sample Code 2007-06-06
Debugging a WebKit Plug-in in Xcode (HTML)
QA1500: Directions for debugging a WebKit plug-in in Xcode.
Technical Q&As 2007-06-05
Querying Metadata With Spotlight (HTML)
TN2192: Describes how a Cocoa application can search Spotlight metadata.
Technical Notes 2007-06-04
TextLayoutDemo (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Customizing NSTextView with NSLayoutManager and a custom NSTextContainer.
Sample Code 2007-06-01
ObjectPath (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use the NSPathControl class.
Sample Code 2007-05-22
Resolution Independence Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Describes resolution independence and how to start updating applications to support high-resolution monitors.
Guides 2007-05-04
NSColorPickingDefault Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving basic color-picker user-interface requests.
Reference 2007-04-27
DatePicker (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use the NSDatePicker control.
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.
Reference 2007-04-25
SearchField (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use and customize the features of the "NSSearchField" control.
Sample Code 2007-04-25
QLPreviewRequest Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an opaque type for handling requests for Quick Look document previews.
Reference 2007-04-20
Quick Look Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for creating plug-ins that generate Quick Look previews and thumbnails.
Reference 2007-04-13
NSToolbarItemGroup Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a group of items in a window's toolbar.
Reference 2007-04-11
NSTableDataSource Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving table view data requests.
Reference 2007-04-10
NSFontPanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the panel for font selection.
Reference 2007-04-06
NSFontPanelValidation Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for validating fonts.
Reference 2007-04-06
NSBrowser Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control for manipulating one- or two-dimensional data sets.
Reference 2007-04-05
NSSpeechRecognizer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Cocoa command-and-control voice recognition system.
Reference 2007-04-03
NSInputServerMouseTracker Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol implemented by text input servers to handle mouse events.
Reference 2007-04-02