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The Reference Library is a comprehensive collection of Apple technical resources, including Articles, Guides, Reference, Release Notes, Sample Code, Technical Notes, and Technical Q&As. Each of the links below leads to the resources for a specific topic.

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Automator Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the concepts and tasks for developing actions, which are bundles loaded by the Automator application.
Apple Applications, Cocoa, Scripting & Automation, Tools Guides 2007-12-11
Bluetooth Device Access Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to develop applications that access Bluetooth-enabled devices.
Hardware & Drivers Guides 2007-12-11
GNU Compiler Collection (GCC) Internals (HTML)
Tools Guides 2007-12-11
Mac OS X Server Command-Line Administration (PDF)
Explains how to use commands and configuration files to perform server administration tasks in a UNIX command shell.
Internet & Web, Java, Mac OS X Server, Networking, Security, Storage Guides 2007-12-11
Managing Fonts: QuickDraw (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Explains how to use the deprecated QuickDraw-based font-management API replaced by Core Text or ATS.
Carbon Guides 2007-12-11
PDF Kit Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces basic PDF concepts and describes how to use PDF Kit to display PDF documents in your application.
Carbon, Cocoa, Graphics & Imaging Guides 2007-12-11
Quartz 2D Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Quartz 2D. Includes illustrations and sample code.
Carbon, Games, Graphics & Imaging Guides 2007-12-11
Quartz Composer Custom Patch Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to create custom patches for distribution.
Apple Applications, Cocoa, Graphics & Imaging Guides 2007-12-11
Token Field Programming Guide for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to set up and programatically manage a token field.
Cocoa, User Experience Guides 2007-12-11
Apple Remote Desktop Administrator's Guide Version 3.2 (PDF)
Explains how to install and configure Apple Remote Desktop and use it to remotely control and manage client computers.
Mac OS X Server, Networking Guides 2007-12-04
Apple Xserve Diagnostics User's Guide (PDF)
New document that explains how to use Apple Xserve Diagnostics tool to test server hardware.
Hardware & Drivers, Mac OS X Server Guides 2007-12-04
User's Guide to gperf 3.0.1 (HTML)
Tools Guides 2007-12-03
MacBook Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the MacBook computer introduced in November 2007.
Hardware & Drivers Guides 2007-11-10
Apple Events Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Provides conceptual information and programming examples for working with Apple events.
Carbon, Scripting & Automation Guides 2007-10-31
Apple Help Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to author, package, and display user help content in Mac OS X.
Carbon, Cocoa, User Experience Guides 2007-10-31
AppleScript Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the technology for writing scripts to control applications. Useful for scripters and application developers.
Carbon, Cocoa, Mac OS X, Scripting & Automation Guides 2007-10-31
Audio Queue Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to play and record audio using Audio Queue Services.
Audio, Carbon, Cocoa Guides 2007-10-31
Audio Unit Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Core Audio frameworks and the Core Audio SDK to create audio units.
Audio, Carbon, Cocoa Guides 2007-10-31
Big Top User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to monitor the use of resources on Macintosh computers, locally and over a network.
Tools Guides 2007-10-31
Calendar Store Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to access iCal data.
Apple Applications, Cocoa Guides 2007-10-31
Carbon-Cocoa Integration Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use both Carbon and Cocoa in developing an application.
Carbon, Cocoa Guides 2007-10-31
Cocoa Application Tutorial (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to build a simple Cocoa application using Xcode.
Cocoa, Tools Guides 2007-10-31
HIView Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes view-based controls and how to implement them in Carbon applications.
Carbon, User Experience Guides 2007-10-31
Instant Message Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to access iChat services and buddies and use iChat Theater through code samples.
Apple Applications, Cocoa, Internet & Web Guides 2007-10-31
Kernel Extension Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Combines the HOWTOs that were previously documented in Hello Debugger, Hello IOKit, Hello KEXT, Packaging KEXT, and KEXT Dependencies.
Darwin Guides 2007-10-31
Mac OS X Server File Services Administration (PDF)
Explains how to share selected server volumes or folders among server clients using AFP, NFS, FTP, and SMB/CIFS.
Internet & Web, Mac OS X Server, Security Guides 2007-10-31
Mac OS X Server Getting Started (PDF)
Explains how to install Mac OS X Server and set it up for the first time.
Mac OS X Server Guides 2007-10-31
Mac OS X Server Glossary (PDF)
Defines terms used for server and storage products.
Mac OS X Server, Storage Guides 2007-10-31
Mac OS X Server iChat Service Administration (PDF)
New document that explains how to set up and manage iChat instant messaging service.
Apple Applications, Enterprise IT, Internet & Web, Mac OS X Server, Security Guides 2007-10-31
Mac OS X Server Installation & Setup Worksheet (PDF)
Covers installation and setup of a standard configuration or workgroup configuration of Leopard Server.
Enterprise IT, Mac OS X Server Guides 2007-10-31
Mac OS X Server Podcast Producer Administration (PDF)
Explains how to set up and manage Podcast Producer service to record, process, and distribute podcasts.
Enterprise IT, Internet & Web, Mac OS X Server, Networking Guides 2007-10-31
Mac OS X Server Print Service Administration (PDF)
Explains how to host shared printers and manage their associated queues and print jobs.
Mac OS X Server Guides 2007-10-31
Mac OS X Server System Image and Software Update Administration (PDF)
Explains how to use network-resident startup disks and how to set up a software update server.
Mac OS X Server, Networking, Security Guides 2007-10-31
Mac OS X Server User Management (PDF)
Explains how to manage users, groups, and computer lists, and how to set up managed preferences for Mac OS X clients.
Mac OS X Server Guides 2007-10-31
Mac OS X Server Web Technologies Administration (PDF)
Explains how to set up and manage a web server, including WebDAV, WebMail, and web modules.
Internet & Web, Java, Mac OS X Server, Security Guides 2007-10-31
Mac OS X Server Xgrid Administration and High Performance Computing (PDF)
Explains how to set up and manage computational clusters of Xserve systems and Mac computers.
Mac OS X Server, Networking Guides 2007-10-31
Multiprocessing Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to implement preemptive tasks in Carbon applications.
Carbon Guides 2007-10-31
Providing PDF Workflow Options in the Print Dialog (HTML) (PDF)
Installation information and examples, including the use of Automator workflows.
Carbon, Cocoa, Graphics & Imaging, Printing Guides 2007-10-31
QTKit Capture Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to capture media and output it QuickTime movies.
Cocoa, QuickTime Guides 2007-10-31
QuickTime 7.2.1 Update Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the new features, changes, and enhancements in the QuickTime 7.2.1 release available in Mac OS X v10.5.
QuickTime Guides 2007-10-31
QuickTime Streaming & Broadcasting Administration (PDF)
Explains how to capture and encode QuickTime content and deliver media streams live or on demand.
Internet & Web, Mac OS X Server, QuickTime Guides 2007-10-31
Ruby and Python Programming Topics for Mac OS X (HTML) (PDF)
Describes Ruby and Python on Mac OS X, and especially the bridges between them and Objective-C and OSA (AppleScript).
Cocoa, Scripting & Automation Guides 2007-10-31
Saturn 4.5 User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to analyze a program's function-calling structure.
Tools Guides 2007-10-31
Sync Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to add syncing to your applications.
Apple Applications, Cocoa, Internet & Web Guides 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.
Cocoa, User Experience Guides 2007-10-31
WebObjects Deployment Guide Using JavaMonitor (HTML) (PDF)
Tools and techniques for deploying WebObjects applications. Includes application administration and performance-improving practices.
Internet & Web, Java, Mac OS X Server, Tools Guides 2007-10-31
Xgrid Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to create client applications that use Xgrid, Apple's parallel multiprocessing technology.
Apple Applications, Mac OS X Server, Performance Guides 2007-10-31
Exception Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to raise and handle exceptions in Cocoa applications.
Cocoa Guides 2007-10-02
Dates and Times Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to manage Cocoa dates and times.
Cocoa Guides 2007-09-04
Rulers and Paragraph Styles (HTML) (PDF)
Explains paragraph styles and how to work with the rulers that enable users to manipulate them.
Cocoa, Text & Fonts Guides 2007-09-04
USB Device Interface Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Provides background information and sample code for developing applications to communicate with or control USB devices and interfaces.
Darwin, Hardware & Drivers Guides 2007-09-04
Launch Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how an application can open document files, other applications, and URLs.
Carbon Guides 2007-08-23
Code Loading Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how Cocoa applications can dynamically load code during execution.
Cocoa Guides 2007-08-10
Creating a Managed Object Model with Xcode (HTML) (PDF)
A tutorial that shows how to create a Core Data managed object model using Xcode.
Cocoa, Tools Guides 2007-08-07
Data Browser Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to present data in lists similar to the list and column views in the Finder.
Carbon, User Experience Guides 2007-08-07
iMac Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of iMac computers introduced in August 2007.
Hardware & Drivers Guides 2007-08-07
Automator AppleScript Actions Tutorial (HTML) (PDF)
Guides you through the procedure for creating a simple Automator action implemented in AppleScript.
Apple Applications, Scripting & Automation Guides 2007-07-18
Interface Builder Plug-In Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the process for creating custom Interface Builder palettes.
Cocoa, Tools Guides 2007-07-18
Quartz Composer User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use the Quartz Composer development tool to create motion graphics compositions.
Apple Applications, Cocoa, Graphics & Imaging, Tools Guides 2007-07-17
Pasteboard Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to transfer data using pasteboard operations in Cocoa.
Cocoa, User Experience Guides 2007-07-13
iSync Manual Test Suite Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the suite of manual test cases that plug-in developers should run before shipping their product.
Apple Applications, Tools Guides 2007-07-11
iSync SyncML Guide (PDF)
Guidelines on how to develop SyncML clients that are compatible with iSync.
Apple Applications Guides 2007-07-11
Sync Services Tutorial (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to debug multiple syncing applications using the Syncrospector development tool.
Apple Applications, Cocoa, Internet & Web, Tools Guides 2007-07-11
WebObjects Application Properties Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the command-line properties that can be passed to WebObjects application and tools when they start.
Internet & Web, Mac OS X Server, Tools Guides 2007-07-11
WebObjects Direct to Web Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the Java-based technology for creating web applications that access a database. Includes examples of customizing applications.
Internet & Web, Java, Mac OS X Server, Tools Guides 2007-07-11
WebObjects Enterprise Objects Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
An overview of the technology that combines object-oriented programming with database application development. Includes examples and solutions.
Internet & Web, Mac OS X Server, Tools Guides 2007-07-11
WebObjects Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the architecture, technologies, development tools, and development approaches of WebObjects.
Internet & Web, Java, Mac OS X Server, Tools Guides 2007-07-11
WebObjects Web Applications Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to develop web applications using WebObjects, including application design, state management, and database architecture.
Internet & Web, Mac OS X Server, Tools Guides 2007-07-11
WebObjects Web Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to develop and utilize web services in WebObjects.
Internet & Web, Java, Mac OS X Server, Tools Guides 2007-07-11
ATSUI Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to lay out, process, and draw Unicode text.
Carbon, Graphics & Imaging, Internationalization, Text & Fonts Guides 2007-07-10
Cocoa Application Tutorial Using Bindings (HTML) (PDF)
A hands-on introduction to Cocoa bindings.
Cocoa, Tools Guides 2007-07-10
iSync Plug-in Maker User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use the iSync Plug-in Maker tool to create and test iSync phone plug-ins.
Apple Applications, Tools Guides 2007-07-10
Navigation Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to provide a user interface for navigating to, opening, and saving files.
Carbon, User Experience Guides 2007-07-10
Sort Descriptor Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use sort descriptors to specify the sorting of collections.
Cocoa Guides 2007-07-10
User Interface Validation (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use the standard mechanism to validate user interface items in Cocoa.
Cocoa, User Experience Guides 2007-07-10
Image I/O Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to read and write image data using the Image I/O framework.
Carbon, Cocoa, Graphics & Imaging Guides 2007-07-02
CCL Modem Scripting Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Apple Applications, Darwin, Hardware & Drivers, Networking, Open Source Guides 2007-06-28
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.
Cocoa, User Experience Guides 2007-06-26
15-inch MacBook Pro Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the 15-inch MacBook Pro computer introduced in June 2007.
Hardware & Drivers Guides 2007-06-11
17-inch MacBook Pro Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the 17-inch MacBook Pro computer introduced in June 2007.
Hardware & Drivers Guides 2007-06-11
Distributed Objects Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how Objective-C objects in different threads or different processes communicate.
Cocoa, Networking Guides 2007-06-06
Attributed Strings Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use attributed strings, which manage attributes of character strings or individual characters.
Carbon, Cocoa, Core Foundation, Text & Fonts Guides 2007-06-04
Dictionary Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to create a dictionary and access it programmatically.
Carbon, Cocoa, Core Foundation, User Experience Guides 2007-05-30
Spotlight Importer Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the role of metadata importers and how to write them.
Carbon, Cocoa, Core Foundation Guides 2007-05-27
Spotlight Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the main components and services of Apple's metadata technology.
Carbon, Cocoa, Core Foundation, Mac OS X Guides 2007-05-27
Mac OS X Server Administrator Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Document that describes a variety of server administrator advanced operations.
Internet & Web, Mac OS X Server, Networking, Open Source Guides 2007-05-23
Mail Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to customize Mail features.
Apple Applications, User Experience Guides 2007-05-22
Rendering FxPlug Effects in Final Cut (HTML) (PDF)
Apple Applications Guides 2007-05-21
I/O Kit Fundamentals (HTML) (PDF)
The basics of developing device drivers. Includes descriptions of I/O Kit families.
Darwin, Hardware & Drivers, Mac OS X, Performance Guides 2007-05-17
MacBook Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the MacBook computer introduced in May 2007.
Hardware & Drivers Guides 2007-05-17
Image Capture Applications Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interaction between applications programs and image capture devices such as cameras and scanners.
Carbon, Cocoa, Hardware & Drivers Guides 2007-05-16
Mac OS X Notification Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Darwin, Mac OS X Guides 2007-05-15
Publication Subscription Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
A guide describing the framework for subscribing to RSS and Atom feeds.
Internet & Web Guides 2007-05-11
Resolution Independence Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Describes resolution independence and how to start updating applications to support high-resolution monitors.
Carbon, Cocoa, Graphics & Imaging, User Experience Guides 2007-05-04
15-inch MacBook Pro Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the 15-inch MacBook Pro computer introduced in October 2006.
Hardware & Drivers Guides 2007-05-03
15-inch MacBook Pro Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the 15-inch MacBook Pro computer introduced in October 2006.
Hardware & Drivers Guides 2007-05-03
iMac Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of iMac computers with SuperDrive introduced September 2006.
Hardware & Drivers Guides 2007-05-03
Mac Pro Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the Mac Pro computer introduced in August 2006.
Hardware & Drivers Guides 2007-05-03
Notification Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to send and receive information about events in Cocoa programs.
Cocoa Guides 2007-05-03
QuickTime Video Effects and Transitions Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes QuickTime video effect components and how to use them.
QuickTime Guides 2007-05-03