Jump To:
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.

Document Descriptions
On Off
Display

Sort by
Title
Sort by
Topic
Sorted by
Resource Type
Sort by
Date
Value Transformer Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to create and use value transformers, which are used with the Controller Layer.
Cocoa Guides 2007-04-06
Mac Pro Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the Mac Pro computers introduced in April 2007.
Hardware & Drivers Guides 2007-04-05
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 October 2006.
Hardware & Drivers Guides 2007-04-04
iMac Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the iMac computer introduced in January 2006.
Hardware & Drivers Guides 2007-04-04
Mac mini Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the Mac mini computer introduced in February 2006.
Hardware & Drivers Guides 2007-04-04
MacBook Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the MacBook computer introduced in May 2006.
Hardware & Drivers Guides 2007-04-04
MacBook Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the MacBook computer introduced in November 2006.
Hardware & Drivers Guides 2007-04-04
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 April 2006.
Hardware & Drivers Guides 2007-04-03
Core Video Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes Core Video concepts and how to obtain and manipulate video frames using the Core Video API.
Graphics & Imaging Guides 2007-04-03
Mass Storage Device Driver Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Background and task information about developing kernel-resident drivers for mass storage devices.
Darwin, Hardware & Drivers Guides 2007-04-03
Device File Access Guide for Storage Devices (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for using I/O Kit and POSIX functions to develop applications that communicate with storage devices.
Darwin, Hardware & Drivers Guides 2007-03-06
I/O Kit Device Driver Design Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Design guidelines and tips for developing, debugging, and deploying kernel-resident device drivers, including user clients.
Darwin, Hardware & Drivers Guides 2007-03-06
Power Mac G5 Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the Power Mac G5 introduced in October 2005.
Hardware & Drivers Guides 2007-03-06
QuickTime 7.1 Update Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the new features, enhancements, and APIs available in QuickTime 7.1, including code samples that illustrate usage.
QuickTime Guides 2007-03-06
Workspace Services Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use the services the workspace class provides to Cocoa applications.
Cocoa Guides 2007-03-06
Accessibility Programming Guidelines for Carbon (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to access-enable Carbon applications.
Carbon, User Experience Guides 2007-02-08
Accessibility Programming Guidelines for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how Cocoa applications make their user interface available to external assistive applications.
Cocoa, User Experience Guides 2007-02-08
Accessing Hardware From Applications (HTML) (PDF)
Tips and guidelines for developing applications that communicate with or control devices.
Darwin, Hardware & Drivers Guides 2007-02-08
FireWire Device Interface Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to develop applications to communicate with or control FireWire devices and units.
Darwin, Hardware & Drivers Guides 2007-02-08
SCSI Architecture Model Device Interface Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to develop applications that communicate with or control SCSI Architecture Model devices.
Darwin, Hardware & Drivers Guides 2007-02-08
Text Input Management (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use input servers, input managers, and text views in Cocoa.
Cocoa, Text & Fonts Guides 2007-02-08
Xserve Developer Note (HTML)
Hardware & Drivers Guides 2007-01-12
Core Audio Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Provides an overview of Core Audio and its programming interfaces.
Audio, Carbon, Cocoa, Games Guides 2007-01-08
Open Directory Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to implement centralized storage and retrieval of information in Carbon.
Darwin, Mac OS X Server, Networking, Open Source Guides 2007-01-08
QuickTime Component Creation Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Tells you how to build new media handler and preview components to extend the capabilities of QuickTime.
QuickTime Guides 2007-01-08
QuickTime Movie Creation Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes some of the different ways your application can create a new QuickTime movie.
Graphics & Imaging, QuickTime Guides 2007-01-08
Data Formatting Guide for Core Foundation (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Core Foundation formatters to create and validate text in text fields and other cells.
Carbon, Core Foundation, Open Source Guides 2006-12-21
Text Attachment Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Expalins how to add graphics and other attachments to text.
Cocoa, Text & Fonts Guides 2006-12-05
17-inch iMac for Education Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the 17-inch iMac for Education computer introduced in July 2006.
Hardware & Drivers Guides 2006-11-07
Application File Management (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how Cocoa applications can use, manipulate, and "own" files.
Cocoa Guides 2006-11-07
Cross-Development Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to build software for versions of Mac OS X other than the one the development tools are running on.
Carbon, Cocoa, Darwin, Open Source, Tools Guides 2006-11-07
Framework Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Conceptual information and guidelines on how to create a framework.
Tools Guides 2006-11-07
Kernel Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Essential information for programming in the Mac OS X kernel. Includes a high-level overview.
Darwin, Hardware & Drivers Guides 2006-11-07
Matrix Programming Guide for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa matrices.
Cocoa, User Experience Guides 2006-11-07
Sound Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to load and play audio data in Cocoa.
Audio, Cocoa Guides 2006-11-07
Porting CodeWarrior Projects to Xcode (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to move software projects from CodeWarrior to Xcode and compares the two development environments.
Carbon, Porting, Tools Guides 2006-10-26
Extending Printing Dialogs (HTML) (PDF)
A guide to developing printing dialog extensions, including basic concepts and a documented Carbon-based sample project.
Carbon, Graphics & Imaging, Printing Guides 2006-10-03
GCC Porting Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Provides guidance on how to migrate projects to new GCC releases.
Carbon, Cocoa, Darwin, Performance, Porting, Tools Guides 2006-10-03
Network Kernel Extensions (legacy) (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to write a kernel extension for adding or modifying functionality of a networking stack (Mac OS X 10.3 and earlier).
Darwin, Hardware & Drivers, Networking Guides 2006-10-03
Performance Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the factors that determine performance.
Audio, Carbon, Cocoa, Core Foundation, Darwin, Games, Graphics & Imaging, Hardware & Drivers, Java, Open Source, Performance, Tools Guides 2006-10-03
Preference Panes (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to create dynamically loaded plug-ins that provide a graphical interface to user preferences.
Cocoa, User Experience Guides 2006-10-03
Preferences Programming Topics for Core Foundation (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to manage Core Foundation user preferences.
Carbon, Core Foundation Guides 2006-10-03
Slider Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa sliders.
Cocoa, User Experience Guides 2006-10-03
iMac Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of iMac computers with Combo drive introduced September 2006.
Hardware & Drivers Guides 2006-09-07
Quartz Programming Guide for QuickDraw Developers (HTML) (PDF)
Provides strategies to help Carbon programmers replace QuickDraw code with Quartz.
Carbon, Graphics & Imaging Guides 2006-09-05
Sheet Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa sheets.
Cocoa, User Experience 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.
Carbon, Cocoa, User Experience Guides 2006-09-05
Hardware Developer Note Terms and Abbreviations (HTML)
Lists common terms and abbreviations used in Apple's Hardware Developer Notes.
Hardware & Drivers Guides 2006-08-08
Apple Remote Desktop Focus on Task Server (PDF)
Explains how to use Task Server to provide always-on, automated administration of client computers.
Enterprise IT, Mac OS X Server, Networking Guides 2006-08-07
Application Architecture Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Explains the architecture of a Cocoa application and how it interacts with the operating system.
Cocoa Guides 2006-08-07
Mac OS X Server Collaboration Services Administration (PDF)
Explains how to set up and manage Weblog, iChat, and other services that facilitate interactions among users.
Internet & Web, Mac OS X Server Guides 2006-08-07
Mac OS X Server Getting Started Supplement (PDF)
Provides an overview of Mac OS X Server features, a worksheet for installation and setup, and a setup example.
Enterprise IT, Mac OS X Server Guides 2006-08-07
Smart Card Setup Guide (PDF)
Explains how to configure Mac OS X version 10.4 to use smart cards.
Enterprise IT, Mac OS X Server, Networking, Security Guides 2006-08-07
Deploying Mac OS X Computers for K-12 Education (PDF)
Explains how to configure and deploy Mac OS X Server and Mac OS X computers for K-12 education.
Enterprise IT, Internet & Web, Mac OS X Server, Networking Guides 2006-07-24
QuickTime 7.1 User's Guide (PDF)
Explains how to use QuickTime Player and QuickTime Pro for Mac OS X and Windows computer users.
Apple Applications, QuickTime Guides 2006-07-24
Software Delivery Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to distribute and install Mac OS X software using PackageMaker and Installer.
Carbon, Cocoa, Tools, User Experience Guides 2006-07-24
C++ Runtime Environment Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Provides information about how to create and deploy C++ binaries.
Tools Guides 2006-06-28
Code Size Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for reducing the size of an application binary.
Carbon, Cocoa, Performance, Tools Guides 2006-06-28
Drag and Drop Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to implement drag and drop in Cocoa.
Cocoa, User Experience Guides 2006-06-28
Memory Usage Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the performance of memory-related code.
Carbon, Cocoa, Core Foundation, Hardware & Drivers, Performance, Tools Guides 2006-06-28
Online Help (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to add help to a Cocoa application.
Cocoa, User Experience Guides 2006-06-28
Outline View Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa outline views.
Cocoa, User Experience Guides 2006-06-28
Printing Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to support printing in Cocoa applications.
Cocoa, Graphics & Imaging, Printing Guides 2006-06-28
Quartz Display Services Programming Topics (HTML) (PDF)
Shows how to configure and control display hardware using Quartz Display Services.
Carbon, Graphics & Imaging Guides 2006-06-28
Scroll View Programming Guide for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to use scroll views in Cocoa applications.
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, Text & Fonts, User Experience Guides 2006-06-28
Animation Programming Guide for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to use Cocoa animation objects to enhance user interface transitions.
Cocoa, Graphics & Imaging Guides 2006-05-23
Bonjour Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Apple's zero-configuration networking architecture in Cocoa applications.
Games, Networking Guides 2006-05-23
HBA Device Driver Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to develop a high-performance, kernel-resident driver for an HBA device.
Darwin, Hardware & Drivers Guides 2006-05-23
Jar Bundler User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Conceptual information and a tutorial about deploying JAR-based applications as Mac OS X application bundles.
Java, Porting, Tools Guides 2006-05-23
Network Services Location Manager (Legacy) (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Explains how to have a Carbon application discover available network services.
Carbon, Networking Guides 2006-05-23
Open Directory Plug-in Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to implement dynamically loaded libraries that respond to Open Directory client requests in Carbon.
Darwin, Mac OS X Server, Networking, Open Source Guides 2006-05-23
Xsan Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes managing files and storage pools with Xsan.
Apple Applications, Mac OS X Server, Networking, Performance, Storage Guides 2006-05-23
iMac G5 Developer Note (HTML)
Specifies the internal design, I/O features, and expansion capabilities of the iMac G5 computer introduced in October 2005.
Hardware & Drivers Guides 2006-04-07
Address Book Programming Guide for Mac OS X (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to add, search, remove, and customize Address Book records.
Apple Applications, Carbon, Cocoa Guides 2006-04-04
Apple Filing Protocol Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes high-level concepts for Apple Filing Protocol commands.
Darwin, Mac OS X Server, Networking Guides 2006-04-04
AppleScript Studio Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to create script-driven applications with complex user interfaces based on Cocoa UI classes. Includes tutorials.
Cocoa, Scripting & Automation, Tools, User Experience Guides 2006-04-04
Assertions and Logging (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use assertions and logging to diagnose problems in Cocoa applications.
Cocoa Guides 2006-04-04
Coding Guidelines for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Naming guidelines for Cocoa API and design advice to framework developers.
Cocoa Guides 2006-04-04
Drawing Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the speed of drawing code.
Carbon, Cocoa, Graphics & Imaging, Performance, Tools Guides 2006-04-04
Interacting with the Operating System (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how Cocoa applications manage tasks and get information about hosts and processes.
Cocoa Guides 2006-04-04
Launch Time Performance Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Guidelines for improving the launch performance of an application.
Carbon, Cocoa, Core Foundation, Performance, Tools Guides 2006-04-04
Table View Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa table views.
Cocoa, User Experience Guides 2006-04-04
Writing PCI Drivers (HTML) (PDF)
Conceptual information about writing I/O Kit drivers for PCI, AGP, and CardBus (PC Card) devices.
Darwin, Hardware & Drivers Guides 2006-04-04
DVD Playback Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use DVD Playback Services to add DVD-Video playback features to applications.
Graphics & Imaging Guides 2006-03-08
Spotlight Query Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to add Spotlight searching to your applications.
Carbon, Cocoa, Core Foundation Guides 2006-03-08
Mac OS X Printing System Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces Apple's printing architecture. Includes a road map for developing software.
Carbon, Cocoa, Graphics & Imaging, Printing Guides 2006-02-07
Property List Programming Topics for Core Foundation (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use structured, textual representations of data in Core Foundation.
Carbon, Core Foundation Guides 2006-02-07
Segmented Controls Programming Guide for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa segmented controls.
Cocoa, User Experience Guides 2006-02-07
System Configuration Programming Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use system configuration services for network configuration and management, including determining reachability and getting connected.
Darwin, Networking Guides 2006-02-07
Binary Data Programming Guide for Core Foundation (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to create and use Core Foundation data objects, object-oriented wrappers for byte buffers.
Carbon, Core Foundation Guides 2006-01-10
QuickTime Compression and Decompression Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the QuickTime data compression and decompression technologies.
Graphics & Imaging, QuickTime Guides 2006-01-10
QuickTime Guide for Windows (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces Windows programming techniques for QuickTime.
Internet & Web, QuickTime Guides 2006-01-10
QuickTime Import and Export Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes QuickTime's technology for importing and exporting graphics and other data into and out of movies.
QuickTime Guides 2006-01-10
QuickTime Media Types and Media Handlers Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes video, sound, text, time code, and tween media handlers.
Audio, QuickTime Guides 2006-01-10
QuickTime Movie Basics (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces some of the basic concepts you need to understand when working with QuickTime movies.
Carbon, QuickTime Guides 2006-01-10
QuickTime Movie Internals Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes technologies inside QuickTime movies, including time management, modifier tracks, access keys, posters, and movie and file previews.
QuickTime Guides 2006-01-10
QuickTime Music Architecture Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to enable synthesizing and playing of sounds and musical sequences.
Audio, Carbon, QuickTime Guides 2006-01-10
QuickTime Streaming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the QuickTime streaming technology.
Internet & Web, Mac OS X Server, QuickTime Guides 2006-01-10
QuickTime Transport and Delivery Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes components that transport data between QuickTime movies and specific devices.
QuickTime Guides 2006-01-10