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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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Accessibility (ApplicationServices/HIServices) Reference (HTML)
Describes the low-level API for making applications accessible to assistive applications.
Accessibility Reference 2008-10-15
Accessibility Inspector Release Notes (HTML)
Accessibility Release Notes 2005-04-29
Accessibility Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use the accessibility features built into Mac OS X.
Accessibility Guides 2008-03-11
Accessibility Programming Guidelines for Carbon (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to access-enable Carbon applications.
Accessibility Guides 2007-02-08
Accessibility Programming Guidelines for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how Cocoa applications make their user interface available to external assistive applications.
Accessibility Guides 2007-02-08
Apple Human Interface Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the Mac OS X user experience and explains how to design an application for Aqua.
Accessibility Guides 2008-06-09
Carbon Accessibility Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for making Carbon applications accessible to assistive technologies.
Accessibility Reference 2006-02-07
Force Feedback Framework Reference (HTML)
Describes the public interfaces to the Force Feedback implementation in Mac OS X, including support for plug-ins.
Accessibility Reference 2008-04-08
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
iTunesController (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
iTunesController allows you to control iTunes without having to bring it to the foreground.
Accessibility Sample Code 2006-02-23
Mac OS X Technology Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces Mac OS X and its technologies.
Accessibility Guides 2008-10-15
NSSpeechSynthesizer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Cocoa parser that converts text to speech.
Accessibility Reference 2009-01-06
SetMouseAcclSample (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Find HID System Manager and get/set cursor acceleration
Accessibility Sample Code 2006-11-28
SimpleSpeechRecExample (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use the Speech Recognition Manager in a simple application.
Accessibility Sample Code 2003-03-26
Speech (HTML) (PDF)
Explains Cocoa's interfaces to the speech synthesis and speech recognition technologies.
Accessibility Guides 2003-08-08
Speech Recognition Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C interface for recognizing and accepting spoken input.
Accessibility Reference 2003-02-01
Speech Release Notes (HTML)
New document that describes new features, notes, and known issues for speech synthesis on Mac OS X v10.5.
Accessibility Release Notes 2007-10-31
Speech Synthesis Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for converting text into synthesized speech.
Accessibility Reference 2009-04-08
UIElementInspector (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates using the Accessibility API introduced in Mac OS X 10.2, which allows manipulation of an application's UI.
Accessibility Sample Code 2007-02-19
Universal Access: Computers That Everyone Can Use (HTML)
Learn how to make your applications usable by everyone, including those with disabilities.
Accessibility Articles 2004-08-02
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
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
CBGroupIdentity Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for operating on user identities.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-05-14
CBIdentity Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to create and operate on identities.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-05-14
CBIdentityAuthority Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to manipulate identity authority databases.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-05-14
CBIdentityPicker Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that manages the identity picker.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-05-14
CBUserIdentity Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for operating on user identities.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-05-14
Collaboration Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API for monitoring and editing identities.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-05-14
Crash in ABAddPropertiesAndTypes (HTML)
QA1404: How to correctly add custom Address Book properties using ABAddPropertiesAndTypes
Apple Applications Technical Q&As 2005-04-04
Dashboard Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Explains Dashboard and WebKit technologies used in widgets.
Apple Applications Guides 2009-02-04
Dashboard Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for implementing Dashboard widgets.
Apple Applications Reference 2009-02-04
Identity Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how identities work and how to use them in applications.
Apple Applications Guides 2008-10-15
Identity Services Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the APIs for using identities and the Identity Picker.
Apple Applications Reference 2007-05-14
Installer Tiger Examples (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
A walkthrough of using distribution scripts and other Tiger Installer features.
Apple Applications Sample Code 2005-06-01
Mail Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to customize Mail features.
Apple Applications Guides 2007-05-22
StickiesExample (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Contains sample code and tools used by Sync Services Tutorial to demonstrate debugging syncing applications.
Apple Applications Sample Code 2006-08-08
Tiger Developer Overview Series: Developing Dashboard Widgets (HTML)
Learn how to create powerful mini-applications quickly and easily.
Apple Applications Articles 2004-12-07
UnsharpMask (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to build Automator actions using Cocoa frameworks.
Apple Applications Sample Code 2005-06-06
Accessibility Programming Guidelines for Carbon (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to access-enable Carbon applications.
Carbon Guides 2007-02-08
Appearance Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for coordinating the look of the standard Mac OS human interface.
Carbon Reference 2007-01-23
Apple Help Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to author, package, and display user help content in Mac OS X.
Carbon Guides 2007-10-31
Apple Help Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for finding and displaying help content using Apple's HTML-based help system.
Carbon Reference 2006-07-12
Apple Human Interface Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the Mac OS X user experience and explains how to design an application for Aqua.
Carbon Guides 2008-06-09
AppleScriptRunner (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
How to send mail and execute other AppleScripts from a Carbon application.
Carbon Sample Code 2006-07-31
Application Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for performing various application-level tasks in a Carbon application. Formerly titled Dock Manager Reference.
Carbon Reference 2007-10-31
Carbon Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes many fundamental user experience APIs used in Carbon applications.
Carbon Reference 2007-10-31
Carbon Help Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for displaying short onscreen hints in help tags.
Carbon Reference 2004-03-01
CarbonCocoa_PictureCursor (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use NSCursor from a Carbon based application.
Carbon Sample Code 2007-01-12
Clickable Static Text Item (HTML)
QA1380: Explains how to make a static text item respond to clicks
Carbon Technical Q&As 2004-10-05
Cocoa PDE with Carbon Printing (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Application that uses a Cocoa PDE along with the Carbon Printing APIs.
Carbon Sample Code 2007-07-27
CollectPictColors (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Deprecated - Uses Picture Utilities package and KnowsPict application to demonstrate collecting colors used by Pict resources.
Carbon Sample Code 2003-10-10
Control Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating and manipulating Carbon controls.
Carbon Reference 2007-03-26
Creating Carbon Menus (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to create menus in Carbon applications.
Carbon Guides 2004-02-23
Creating Gray Scaled Images > 8 bits (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
Deprecated - QD51: Shows how to create gray-scaled images at resolutions greater than 8 bits for display.
Carbon Technical Q&As 1997-11-17
Data Browser Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to present data in lists similar to the list and column views in the Finder.
Carbon Guides 2007-08-07
Data Browser Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API used to display data in list or column views similar to the Finder.
Carbon Reference 2008-04-08
Desktop Icons (HTML)
Explains how to provide custom icons for a Carbon application and its documents.
Carbon Guides 2002-08-19
Dialog Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C interface for implementing alerts and dialog boxes.
Carbon Reference 2007-10-31
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.
Carbon Reference 2008-04-08
DiscRecording Release Notes (HTML)
Updated for Mac OS X v10.5
Carbon Release Notes 2007-10-31
Display Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Describes the C API for dynamically changing the arrangement and display modes of attached monitors. Replaced by Quartz Display Services.
Carbon Reference 2007-12-04
Dock Tile Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to provide an icon and contextual menu in Carbon applications.
Carbon Guides 2009-03-04
Drag Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for dragging objects within the user interface.
Carbon Reference 2006-07-12
Error -151 and NewGWorld (HTML)
Deprecated - QD18: Explains what the error code -151 means when in NewGWorld.
Carbon Technical Q&As 1995-09-15
Find By Content Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Describes the legacy C API for performing relevance-ranked searches. Replaced by Search Kit.
Carbon Reference 2006-07-13
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
Fonts Panel Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for providing a Fonts window in a Carbon application.
Carbon Reference 2007-02-26
grayishTextOr and Mac OS 8.5 (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
Deprecated - QD59: Explains why text drawn using TextMode(grayishTextOr) is never drawn; provides a workaround.
Carbon Technical Q&As 1998-12-07
Guide to Creating Kiosks on Mac OS X (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
TN2062: Discusses techniques used in creating applications which require kiosk-like functionality on Mac OS X.
Carbon Technical Notes 2003-02-24
Handling Carbon Windows and Controls (HTML) (PDF)
A guidebook for implementing windows and controls in Carbon applications.
Carbon Guides 2005-07-07
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
HIShape Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Carbon API for manipulating HIShape objects.
Carbon Reference 2004-06-28
HIToolbar Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to create toolbars in Carbon applications.
Carbon Guides 2005-07-07
HIToolbar Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating and manipulating toolbars in Carbon applications.
Carbon Reference 2005-09-08
HIView Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes view-based controls and how to implement them in Carbon applications.
Carbon Guides 2007-10-31
HIView Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating and manipulating view-based controls and menus in Carbon applications.
Carbon Reference 2007-04-13
HIView-NSView (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to embed an NSView within an HIView in a Carbon window.
Carbon Sample Code 2007-05-29
Icon Services and Utilities Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for manipulating and drawing icons in Carbon applications.
Carbon Reference 2007-04-06
Interface Builder Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for unarchiving interface objects.
Carbon Reference 2004-02-17
iTunesController (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
iTunesController allows you to control iTunes without having to bring it to the foreground.
Carbon Sample Code 2006-02-23
List Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Describes the legacy C API for managing and displaying elements in a scrollable list. Replaced by the Data Browser.
Carbon Reference 2007-12-11
Menu Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating and managing an application's menus.
Carbon Reference 2006-09-15
MoreIsBetter (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Library providing indispensable wrapers and workarounds for many areas of Mac OS programming.
Carbon Sample Code 2003-10-27
MungSaver (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates a simple Screen Saver module for Panther, using the Sequence Grabber DataProc mung technique.
Carbon Sample Code 2003-11-18
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
Navigation Services for Carbon: An Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces changes to the Navigation Services API for CarbonLib and Carbon in Mac OS X.
Carbon Guides 2003-12-10
Navigation Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to provide a user interface for navigating to, opening, and saving files.
Carbon Guides 2007-07-10
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
NewCCursor (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Deprecated - Shows how to create a black and white 'CURS' and a color 'crsr' cursor resource by hand.
Carbon Sample Code 2003-01-14
Obtaining and Using Icons With Icon Services (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to obtain and display icons for a Carbon application or extension.
Carbon Guides 2003-02-01
Out of This GWorld (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Deprecated - Demonstrates the use of offscreen GWorlds and palette animation to simulate animation.
Carbon Sample Code 2003-03-12
Preferences Utilities Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes Core Foundation preferences functions.
Carbon Reference 2007-10-31
Problem with PaintRgn on 256-color Screens (HTML)
Deprecated - QD23: PaintRgn with RGBForeColor and transfer mode addOver doesn't return color to original on 256-color-screens.
Carbon Technical Q&As 1995-09-15
Programming with the Appearance Manager (HTML)
Explains how to make an application's user interface look like the Mac OS user interface.
Carbon Guides 2001-11-20
Providing Help Tags in Carbon (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to add contextually sensitive help content to an application's user interface.
Carbon Guides 2002-07-01
QDFlushPortBuffer (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QD65: Describes a possible solution for window update problems under Carbon.
Carbon Technical Q&As 2000-11-08
QLPreviewRequest Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an opaque type for handling requests for Quick Look document previews.
Carbon Reference 2007-04-20
QLThumbnailRequest Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an opaque type for handling requests for Quick Look thumbnail images.
Carbon Reference 2007-10-31