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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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NSPanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a window for performing auxiliary functions in an application.
Reference 2009-01-06
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
NSPreferencePane Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Defines the interface for subclasses to provide preference panes to System Preferences or other applications.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSProgressIndicator animation and redraw (HTML)
QA1473: Discusses why NSProgressIndicator does not redraw during progress loops.
Technical Q&As 2006-11-15
NSProgressIndicator Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control that shows that a lengthy task is under way.
Reference 2008-03-11
NSRuleEditor Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a graphical rule editor.
Reference 2008-02-08
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
NSScroller Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control for scrolling a document view within a scroll view.
Reference 2009-04-08
NSScrollView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a view for displaying content larger than its bounds.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSSearchField Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a text field optimized for entering a search query.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSSearchFieldCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a search field cell.
Reference 2008-03-11
NSSecureTextField Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a text field that hides its text.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSSecureTextFieldCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the user interface of a secure text field.
Reference 2007-10-31
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
NSSlider Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control for selecting a value from a continuous range of values.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSSliderCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an action cell that provides appearance and behavior for an NSSlider object.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSSpeechRecognizer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Cocoa command-and-control voice recognition system.
Reference 2007-04-03
NSSpeechSynthesizer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Cocoa parser that converts text to speech.
Reference 2009-01-06
NSSplitView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a container for subviews with a user-controlled portion of each visible.
Reference 2009-04-08
NSStatusBar Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the collection of status items in the menu bar.
Reference 2007-03-05
NSStatusItem Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a status item in the menu bar.
Reference 2007-03-05
NSStepper Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control that can increment and decrement a value.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSStepperCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an action cell that provides appearance and behavior for an NSStepper object.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSTableColumn Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the display characteristics and attribute identifiers for a column in a table view.
Reference 2007-10-31
NSTableDataSource Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving table view data requests.
Reference 2007-04-10
NSTableHeaderCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the user interface of a column header of a table view.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSTableHeaderView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a column header of a table view.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSTableView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a view that displays and manages tabular data.
Reference
NSTabView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a view that supports switching between subviews.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSTabViewItem Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a single view in a tab view.
Reference 2006-05-23
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
NSTokenField Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a text field that provides tokenized editing.
Reference 2008-10-15
NSTokenFieldCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a cell used in the conversion of entered text into tokens representing objects.
Reference 2007-03-05
NSToolbar Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a toolbar in a window's title bar.
Reference 2008-10-15
NSToolbarItem Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a single item in a window's toolbar.
Reference 2006-06-28
NSToolbarItemGroup Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a group of items in a window's toolbar.
Reference 2007-04-11
NSToolbarItemValidation Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for providing customized enabling and disabling of a toolbar item.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSToolTipOwner Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving requests for tooltip text.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSUserDefaults Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an object for managing preference information.
Reference 2009-04-08
NSUserInterfaceValidations Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for participating in automatic enabling and disabling of controls.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSViewAnimation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an animation in a view or window.
Reference 2006-05-23
NSWindow Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a window.
Reference 2009-03-04
NSWindowScripting Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the category on NSWindow for scripting basic properties and commands of windows in scriptable applications.
Reference 2006-05-23
ObjectPath (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use the NSPathControl class.
Sample Code 2007-05-22
Online Help (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to add help to a Cocoa application.
Guides 2006-06-28
Outline View Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa outline views.
Guides 2006-06-28
Pasteboard Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to transfer data using pasteboard operations in Cocoa.
Guides 2007-07-13
PredicateEditorSample (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use the NSPredicateEditor class.
Sample Code 2007-06-06
Preference Panes (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to create dynamically loaded plug-ins that provide a graphical interface to user preferences.
Guides 2006-10-03
PrefsPane (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
A Cocoa sample System Preferences bundle that demonstrates how to use the NSPreferencePane class.
Sample Code 2007-06-06
Preventing column reordering in NSTableView (HTML)
QA1503: Demonstrates how to prevent column reordering of certain columns in NSTableView.
Technical Q&As 2007-01-24
Progress Indicators (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa progress indicators.
Guides 2002-11-12
QLPreviewRequest Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an opaque type for handling requests for Quick Look document previews.
Reference 2007-04-20
QLThumbnailRequest Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an opaque type for handling requests for Quick Look thumbnail images.
Reference 2007-10-31
Querying Metadata With Spotlight (HTML)
TN2192: Describes how a Cocoa application can search Spotlight metadata.
Technical Notes 2007-06-04
Quick Look Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for creating plug-ins that generate Quick Look previews and thumbnails.
Reference 2007-04-13
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
Requirements for Quartz GL (HTML)
QA1536: Describes the requirements for enabling Quartz GL.
Technical Q&As 2008-08-08
Resolution Independence Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Describes resolution independence and how to start updating applications to support high-resolution monitors.
Guides 2007-05-04
Screen Saver Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API for supporting and working with screen effects.
Reference 2006-05-23
Search Fields (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa search fields.
Guides 2008-02-08
Search Kit Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes Search Kit architecture and workflow, and how to add search capabilities to Carbon and Cocoa applications.
Guides 2005-12-06
Search Kit Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for supporting user searches of textual content.
Reference 2009-05-06
SearchField (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use and customize the features of the "NSSearchField" control.
Sample Code 2007-04-25
SearchKit Release Notes (HTML)
Release Notes 2005-04-29
Segmented Controls Programming Guide for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa segmented controls.
Guides 2006-02-07
Sheet Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa sheets.
Guides 2006-09-05
Slider Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa sliders.
Guides 2006-10-03
SourceView (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use NSOutlineView driven by NSTreeController.
Sample Code 2007-11-15
Speech (HTML) (PDF)
Explains Cocoa's interfaces to the speech synthesis and speech recognition technologies.
Guides 2003-08-08
SpeedometerView (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to make a custom NSView.
Sample Code 2007-06-06
Spell Checking (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use the spell-checking facilities in the Cocoa text system.
Guides 2004-02-09
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
Status Bars (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa status bars.
Guides 2002-11-12
Steppers (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa steppers.
Guides 2002-11-12
StickiesExample (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Contains sample code and tools used by Sync Services Tutorial to demonstrate debugging syncing applications.
Sample Code 2006-08-08
System Services (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how Cocoa applications can extend their capabilities seamlessly to other applications.
Guides 2002-11-12
Tab Views (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa tab views.
Guides 2003-11-06
Table View Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa table views.
Guides 2006-04-04
Text Fields (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa text fields.
Guides 2004-02-09
Text System User Interface Layer Programming Guide for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to implement the main, high-level interface to the Cocoa text system.
Guides 2006-06-28
Text Views (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa text views.
Guides 2004-02-09
TextLayoutDemo (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Customizing NSTextView with NSLayoutManager and a custom NSTextContainer.
Sample Code 2007-06-01
Token Field Programming Guide for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to set up and programatically manage a token field.
Guides 2007-12-11
Toolbar Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa toolbars.
Guides 2009-02-04
TrackBall (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to build a custom control based on the NSControl class.
Sample Code 2007-06-07
TrackIt (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use the NSTrackingArea class.
Sample Code 2007-03-05
TwoManyControllers (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
How to use an intermediate NSArrayController to populate an NSTableView across two to-many relationships.
Sample Code 2007-02-23
Undo Architecture (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to record information in Cocoa so a user can reverse an operation's effect.
Guides 2002-11-12
Universal Access: Computers That Everyone Can Use (HTML)
Learn how to make your applications usable by everyone, including those with disabilities.
Articles 2004-08-02
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
User Interface Validation (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use the standard mechanism to validate user interface items in Cocoa.
Guides 2007-07-10
Using AppleScript Scripts in Cocoa Applications (HTML)
TN2084: Explains how to work with AppleScript scripts in your Cocoa application.
Technical Notes 2006-09-19
Using the Web Kit for Application Registration (HTML)
Learn how to use the Web Kit to handle your application's online registration.
Articles 2004-03-09
ViewController (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use "NSViewController".
Sample Code 2007-06-11
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
Window Programming Guide for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa windows and panels.
Guides 2009-02-04