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Leopard Reference Library
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.

A guided introduction for developers new to adopting the Mac OS X user experience.   Essential information for developers implementing application user interfaces.   APIs for implementing the look and feel of Mac OS X application software.
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Leopard Technology Series for Developers: Introducing Dashcode (HTML)
Learn how Dashcode makes widget development easier than ever.
Tools Articles 2007-01-09
SetMouseAcclSample (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Find HID System Manager and get/set cursor acceleration
Accessibility, Human Interface Device & Force Feedback Sample Code 2006-11-28
Configuring the Recent Searches menu for NSSearchField (HTML)
QA1496: Discusses the common problem when adding menu items to the Recent Searches menu.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2006-11-27
NSProgressIndicator animation and redraw (HTML)
QA1473: Discusses why NSProgressIndicator does not redraw during progress loops.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2006-11-15
Debugging NSTableView's "Action Invocation" binding (HTML)
QA1472: Discusses the issues and factors that affect NSTableView's "Action Invocation" binding.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2006-11-13
Matrix Programming Guide for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa matrices.
Cocoa Guides 2006-11-07
Finder Interface Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes several C data types used by the Finder to contain information about file system objects.
Carbon Reference 2006-10-31
NSFontAttributeExplorer (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to gather and display various metric information for installed fonts using NSFont.
Text & Fonts Sample Code 2006-10-26
How to make NSTextField accept tab, return and enter keys. (HTML)
QA1454: Describes how to make the NSTextField control accept tab, return and enter keys by using the control's dispatch delegate method.
Cocoa, Text & Fonts Technical Q&As 2006-10-09
MyCustomColorPicker (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to write a custom color picker using Cocoa.
Cocoa Sample Code 2006-10-09
Preference Panes (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to create dynamically loaded plug-ins that provide a graphical interface to user preferences.
Cocoa Guides 2006-10-03
Slider Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa sliders.
Cocoa Guides 2006-10-03
Embedding Hyperlinks in NSTextField and NSTextView (HTML)
QA1487: Shows how a Cocoa app can embed a hyperlink inside both NSTextField and NSTextView using NSAttributedString.
Cocoa, Text & Fonts Technical Q&As 2006-10-02
ImageBackground (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to draw an image in the background of an NSOutlineView and NSTableView.
Cocoa Sample Code 2006-10-02
Using AppleScript Scripts in Cocoa Applications (HTML)
TN2084: Explains how to work with AppleScript scripts in your Cocoa application.
Cocoa Technical Notes 2006-09-19
Menu Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating and managing an application's menus.
Carbon Reference 2006-09-15
Disabling and Enabling an NSTextView (HTML)
QA1461: Shows how a Cocoa application can disable and enable an NSTextView.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2006-09-11
Sheet Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa sheets.
Cocoa Guides 2006-09-05
Speech Synthesis Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes speech synthesis in Mac OS X and explains how your application can produce customized spoken output.
Speech Technologies Guides 2006-09-05
InstallerPluginSample (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Provides instructions for extending software installation using custom plugins
Files & Software Installation Sample Code 2006-08-30
Navigation Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for presenting a user interface for opening, saving, and navigating files.
Carbon Reference 2006-08-16
StickiesExample (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Contains sample code and tools used by Sync Services Tutorial to demonstrate debugging syncing applications.
Apple Applications, Carbon, Cocoa Sample Code 2006-08-08
ABPresence (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Displays a list of all the people in your Address Book and their iChat status.
Apple Applications Sample Code 2006-08-04
SayIt (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Web Kit plug-in which speaks text passed via JavaScript
Speech Technologies Sample Code 2006-08-04
SetCustomIcon (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to programmatically set a custom icon for a file, folder, or disk.
Carbon Sample Code 2006-08-01
AppleScriptRunner (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
How to send mail and execute other AppleScripts from a Carbon application.
Carbon Sample Code 2006-07-31
Backup Core Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for managing the backup exclusion status of files and folders.
Apple Applications Reference 2006-07-31
Carbon Porting Tutorial (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Porting a simple application from Mac OS 9 to Mac OS X
Porting Sample Code 2006-07-25
Software Delivery Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to distribute and install Mac OS X software using PackageMaker and Installer.
Files & Software Installation Guides 2006-07-24
Find By Content Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Describes the legacy C API for performing relevance-ranked searches. Replaced by Search Kit.
Carbon, Cocoa Reference 2006-07-13
Apple Help Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for finding and displaying help content using Apple's HTML-based help system.
Carbon, Help Technologies Reference 2006-07-12
Drag Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for dragging objects within the user interface.
Carbon Reference 2006-07-12
Drag and Drop Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to implement drag and drop in Cocoa.
Cocoa Guides 2006-06-28
NSToolbarItem Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a single item in a window's toolbar.
Cocoa Reference 2006-06-28
Online Help (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to add help to a Cocoa application.
Cocoa, Help Technologies Guides 2006-06-28
Outline View Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa outline views.
Cocoa Guides 2006-06-28
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.
Cocoa Guides 2006-06-28
NSComboBox Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control for entering text or selecting from a pop-up list of items.
Cocoa Reference 2006-05-23
NSComboBoxCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the text field that provides the user interface for NSComboBox objects.
Cocoa Reference 2006-05-23
NSComboBoxCellDataSource Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving data requests from an NSComboBoxCell object.
Cocoa Reference 2006-05-23
NSComboBoxDataSource Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving data requests from an NSComboBox object.
Cocoa Reference 2006-05-23
NSDrawer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a retractable user interface element that displays view objects.
Cocoa Reference 2006-05-23
NSForm Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a vertical matrix of NSFormCell objects.
Cocoa Reference 2006-05-23
NSFormCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a title and text entry field in an NSForm object.
Cocoa Reference 2006-05-23
NSPreferencePane Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Defines the interface for subclasses to provide preference panes to System Preferences or other applications.
Cocoa Reference 2006-05-23
NSScrollView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a view for displaying content larger than its bounds.
Cocoa Reference 2006-05-23
NSSearchField Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a text field optimized for entering a search query.
Cocoa Reference 2006-05-23
NSSecureTextField Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a text field that hides its text.
Cocoa Reference 2006-05-23
NSSlider Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control for selecting a value from a continuous range of values.
Cocoa Reference 2006-05-23
NSSliderCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an action cell that provides appearance and behavior for an NSSlider object.
Cocoa Reference 2006-05-23
NSStepper Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control that can increment and decrement a value.
Cocoa Reference 2006-05-23
NSStepperCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an action cell that provides appearance and behavior for an NSStepper object.
Cocoa Reference 2006-05-23
NSTableHeaderCell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the user interface of a column header of a table view.
Cocoa Reference 2006-05-23
NSTableHeaderView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a column header of a table view.
Cocoa Reference 2006-05-23
NSTabView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a view that supports switching between subviews.
Cocoa Reference 2006-05-23
NSTabViewItem Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a single view in a tab view.
Cocoa Reference 2006-05-23
NSToolbarItemValidation Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for providing customized enabling and disabling of a toolbar item.
Cocoa Reference 2006-05-23
NSToolTipOwner Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving requests for tooltip text.
Cocoa Reference 2006-05-23
NSUserInterfaceValidations Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for participating in automatic enabling and disabling of controls.
Cocoa Reference 2006-05-23
NSViewAnimation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an animation in a view or window.
Cocoa Reference 2006-05-23
NSWindowScripting Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the category on NSWindow for scripting basic properties and commands of windows in scriptable applications.
Cocoa Reference 2006-05-23
Screen Saver Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API for supporting and working with screen effects.
Cocoa Reference 2006-05-23
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
Enumerating fonts with ATS (HTML)
QA1471: Describes the different ATS font enumeration methods
Text & Fonts Technical Q&As 2006-04-14
HelpHook (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Simple Help Viewer integration for J2SE applications, using a native Cocoa library.
Java Sample Code 2006-04-12
MyFirstJNIProject (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
A Java application that calls the Address Book framework through the JNI
Java Sample Code 2006-04-12
AppleScript Studio Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to create script-driven applications with complex user interfaces based on Cocoa UI classes. Includes tutorials.
Tools Guides 2006-04-04
Table View Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa table views.
Cocoa Guides 2006-04-04
iTunesController (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
iTunesController allows you to control iTunes without having to bring it to the foreground.
Accessibility, Carbon Sample Code 2006-02-23
Carbon Accessibility Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for making Carbon applications accessible to assistive technologies.
Accessibility Reference 2006-02-07
Segmented Controls Programming Guide for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa segmented controls.
Cocoa Guides 2006-02-07
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
Search Kit Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes Search Kit architecture and workflow, and how to add search capabilities to Carbon and Cocoa applications.
Carbon, Cocoa Guides 2005-12-06
StopAlert and NoteAlert now use the Application icon (HTML)
QA1378: System Alerts now use the Application icon to let the User easily identify the source of the alert.
Carbon Technical Q&As 2005-10-04
HIToolbar Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating and manipulating toolbars in Carbon applications.
Carbon Reference 2005-09-08
HIArchive Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to store data objects using HIArchive. Also includes information to make custom HIObjects archivable.
Carbon Guides 2005-08-11
HIArchive Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for storing and retrieving data in HIArchives.
Carbon Reference 2005-08-11
HIObject Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating and manipulating human interface objects in Carbon applications.
Carbon Reference 2005-08-11
PasteboardPeeker (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Using pasteboards for Copy and Paste, Drag and Drop, service support and filter services.
Text & Fonts Sample Code 2005-08-10
Handling Carbon Windows and Controls (HTML) (PDF)
A guidebook for implementing windows and controls in Carbon applications.
Carbon Guides 2005-07-07
HIToolbar Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to create toolbars in Carbon applications.
Carbon Guides 2005-07-07
Frequently Asked Text Services Manager (TSM) Questions (HTML)
TN2128: Regroups a collection of Text Services Manager (TSM) questions frequently asked by Input Method Developers
Text & Fonts Technical Notes 2005-06-24
Unified window title and toolbar appearance in Carbon (HTML)
QA1423: How to use the unified window title and toolbar appearance for a Carbon window.
Carbon Technical Q&As 2005-06-17
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
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.
Carbon Sample Code 2005-06-06
UnsharpMask (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to build Automator actions using Cocoa frameworks.
Apple Applications Sample Code 2005-06-06
UpdateXcodeSubprojects (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Updates all subprojects of an Xcode project to Xcode 2.1 format. Illustrates scripting techniques.
Tools Sample Code 2005-06-06
CoreRecipes (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates the use of Core Data (persistency and object-graph management) with a variety of application projects.
Cocoa Sample Code 2005-06-01
HITextViewDemo (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Overview of basic HITextView functionality, including Tiger's new font & spelling panel support.
Text & Fonts Sample Code 2005-06-01
ImageMapExample (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Implements a custom NSView, an image map, and accessorizes it (i.e. makes it work with accessibility).
Accessibility Sample Code 2005-06-01
Installer Tiger Examples (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
A walkthrough of using distribution scripts and other Tiger Installer features.
Apple Applications, Files & Software Installation, Tools Sample Code 2005-06-01
Accessibility Inspector Release Notes (HTML)
Accessibility Release Notes 2005-04-29
SearchKit Release Notes (HTML)
Carbon, Cocoa Release Notes 2005-04-29
Crash in ABAddPropertiesAndTypes (HTML)
QA1404: How to correctly add custom Address Book properties using ABAddPropertiesAndTypes
Apple Applications Technical Q&As 2005-04-04
Help Book Caching During Software Development (HTML)
QA1409: Development situations that can potentially confuse Help Viewer
Files & Software Installation Technical Q&As 2005-03-30
Finding an NSView's current magnification. (HTML)
QA1346: How to discover the current magnification (zoom level) of any NSView.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2005-03-08
Tiger Developer Overview Series: Developing Dashboard Widgets (HTML)
Learn how to create powerful mini-applications quickly and easily.
Apple Applications Articles 2004-12-07
My custom item dismisses my Navigation Services dialog (HTML)
QA1381: Gives a workaround for dismissive clicks on items in the custom area of Navigation Services dialogs.
Carbon Technical Q&As 2004-11-22
MLTE_CustomScrolling (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to implement MLTE's custom scrolling functionality
Text & Fonts Sample Code 2004-10-15
Clickable Static Text Item (HTML)
QA1380: Explains how to make a static text item respond to clicks
Carbon Technical Q&As 2004-10-05